April - Construction News

Transcription

Covering the Industry’s News
Texas
Style
San Antonio Austin
Dallas/Fort Worth
P.O. Box 791290
San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290
PRSRT. STD.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
DALLAS, TX
PERMIT #1451
Change Service Requested
Houston
San Antonio
CONSTRUCTION
™
The Industry’s Newspaper
www.constructionnews.net
(210) 308-5800  P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio TX 78279  11931 Warfield San Antonio TX 78216  APR 2010  Vol. 13  No. 4
Bulls-eye in business
Following the sun
L-R: Daniel and Paul Gomez
L-R: Bob Aniol, Abby Shaver, Amy King and John Carlson at the Sundt temporary office in San
Antonio. A summer open house is planned for the new company headquarters.
B
usiness experts will say that timing is
an important factor in starting a new
company. The common opinion is
to jump in when the economy is up.
But for brothers, Paul and Daniel
Gomez, owners of Target Building Supply, just the opposite has proven to be
true.
“My brother and I started this business in September of ‘08, two weeks before the big AIG, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
thing – right before the news hit that it
was going to happen,” said Paul Gomez.
“You talk about scared, it was something
else.”
Using the “glass half full” philosophy,
the brothers realized they could grow the
masonry supply company with the economy. The banks weren’t lending money
at the time, so the brothers pooled their
resources and started at the bottom.
They called it a blessing.
“We started with nine employees
and here we are at 13. You learn how to
manage your money a lot better,” Paul
said. “You pay your bills and keep going.”
According to Daniel and Paul, one
reason for Target’s success is the closeknit nature of the company, and the quality of employees, which includes other
family members.
“I have 20 years in the industry and
Daniel has 10,” Paul said. “Carlos Medina,
our store manager, has 20 years, and our
continued on Page 21
A
rizona-based Sundt Construction
has built projects in Texas for about
40 years, but could never call Texas
home – until now.
In February Sundt began the process
of opening a permanent office in San Antonio at Brook Hollow and Highway 281.
According to John Carlson, senior
vice president, San Antonio is different
from Arizona, but a good different. “I feel
that San Antonio really fits our culture. It
is a relationship-based community. We
all believe we live and work based on relationships.”
Norwegian immigrant ship carpenter Mauritz Martinsen Sundt founded
the company in 1890 in Las Vegas, NM.
His son, John Sundt, moved the headquarters to Tucson in 1929. Following
John Sundt’s death in 1965, the company
took steps to become employee-owned.
“All the employees own stock in the
company, including the guys that dig
ditches and pour concrete,” Carlson said.
“So they are all very motivated to perform.”
Today, the parent holding company
is based in Tucson, AZ. Company divisions are located throughout the Southwest: Building Division, Heavy Civil Division, Concrete Division, Mining and Industrial Division and Federal Division.
Carlson said the San Antonio office is
unique for Sundt. “This is the first time
this company is going to put all those disciplines under one office.”
Soaring to the finish
“A
lot of times one idea never ends
up being one idea. It ends up
being a group of great ideas,”
says Desi Valdez, RED HAWK Contracting president.
Great ideas contributed to the quick
completion of the new Crawford Electric
Supply Company (CESCO) distribution
center at Interstate 35 North and Weidner
in San Antonio.
The 61,200-sf design-build project
on nine acres is the second project RED
HAWK has completed for CESCO.
“We helped the owner find the property and we laid out the building and
spent a lot of time upfront before they
secured the purchase of the land,” Valdez
said. “We also helped the seller of the
land as well, to exercise their vested rights
before expiring.
“It has been an exciting project and
we really enjoyed helping our client find
the most economical way to build their
building, as we presented him options
with good value to the project overall.
“We like to share good ideas and create a synergy by closely huddling with
the design team, and really challenging
everyone to think outside of the box.”
The seven-month project is tilt-wall
construction that includes 11,200sf of offices and a 50,000-sf warehouse and a
detention pond.
“It is all concrete paving,” Valdez said.
“They have a lay-down yard for outside
storage as well. Originally, it was supposed to be a 70,000-sf building, but we
had to make some changes to bring it
down to 61,200, as a result of the climate
changes of the economy and everything.
So we gladly took care of that, even
though we had finished the design and
already submitted the plans for permitting. It worked out real good.”
Workers put the final touches on the new Crawford Electric Supply Company (CESCO)
distribution center.
Page 2
San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2010
The right stuff
Beyond sitework
L-R: Jarrett Finger, Ricci Pozzi, Kris Groda
Heavy equipment, trucks, tools and miscellaneous items filled a field at
Schertz Parkway and Interstate 35 North in Selma, TX.
T
he phones were buzzing at the Machinery Auctioneers of Texas auction in Selma, TX, Mar. 4 as more
than 340 onsite bidders and 200 Internet
bidders looked for deals on heavy equipment. “We did over $1.5 million,” said Terry
Dickerson, owner of Machinery Auctioneers of Texas. “It was actually up about 15
percent from what we thought it would
be. It was a big success.”
Machinery Auctioneers held its first
auction in May 2009, but the 2010 event
was a sharp contrast in both the quality
and quantity of equipment, number of
bidders and final sales count, according
to Dickerson.
The final destination of sold equipment also varied from the first auction,
with equipment headed for Australia and
Mexico from online bids. “We had stuff
that sold to Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida
and Columbia,” Dickerson said.
“We are looking at a date in May or
June for another auction,” he said. “We
had a lot of people come after the fact
that had stuff for sale that didn’t get it
there.”
Dickerson, owner of Dickerson Machinery Inc. and Dickerson Machinery
Rentals LLC, and Lyle Larson, former San
Antonio City Councilman and Bexar
County Commissioner, formed Machinery Auctioneers of Texas nearly a year
ago.
Machinery Auctioneers of Texas is an
Internet and live heavy equipment auction
company. –kf
R
icci L. Pozzi began his construction
career as a fence installer in 1998. Five years later he started Border
Construction Services (BCS) in San Antonio, which has grown to three divisions,
focusing on land clearing, retaining walls,
and commercial fencing.
The company’s biggest project to
date involves land clearing along the Texas-Mexico border. Despite the element
of danger, with drug wars going on across
the border, Pozzi says the land-clearing
project is an interesting and fulfilling type
of work.
“We have done several miles of work
for the Corps of Engineers down at the
border in Laredo. We have the border patrol that protects us, and that’s real interesting. It’s for the Department of Defense,
Homeland Security. It feels good to be
providing that service to our country,”
Pozzi said.
Although ironic, the name Border
Construction Services has nothing to do
with working along the Texas-Mexico
border, but everything to do with honoring his father, Ricci S. Pozzi, who passed
away in 2002. His father’s oil and gas
business in Victoria was named Border
Swabbing, Inc.
Just as there are challenges working
along the border, there are challenges
working in the Hill Country, dealing with
rock and building retaining walls.
“We use rock hammers and equipment that has hydraulic breakers,” Pozzi
said. There is more to it than just building
a wall. We work with a local engineering
firm and engineer all our walls.
“The city is having a formal permitting process now that they are going to
really monitor. Anything in the city of
San Antonio that is over 4ft. tall requires
stamped engineer plans. We have been
doing that the whole time. That’s the
code. It is insurance for us to have a professional engineer stamp it.”
Border Construction Services does land
clearing, retaining walls and commercial
fencing. –kf
Page 3
Eagle spreads its wings
PUTZ AROUND TOWN
JC Putz here
Well it seems the boss man is
turning another year older,
which makes me wonder
where all the years have put
themselves.
Once again, my well-guarded
informants and spies out
there came through with
some photos to celebrate the
occasion. (if I disappear for a
month or two, I’m just laying
low so the bossman doesn’t
fire me.)
L-R: Willow Graff, administrative manager; Terri Adams, payroll/purchasing clerk; Andrew
Usher, emergency response manager, San Antonio; Dustin Pratt, assistant manager.
Not pictured: Todd Johnson, Western Region emergency response manager and San Antonio
manager; Sandy Johnson, South Texas business development
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!
With that, I’m outta here
Partying in 1998
Partying 2009
W
hen a contractor working on a
jobsite encounters contaminated soil, work comes to a halt. In
comes the cavalry to save the day, in the
form of Eagle-SWS to handle environmental issues and site work restoration.
Dealing with jobsite contamination
is just one of the services offered by Eagle-SWS, a company that is the product
of a merger between Eagle Construction
& Environmental Services LLC and
Southern Waste Services Inc. (SWS). The
two companies have a combined 45 years
in the environmental industry.
The merger increases the number of
employees from 300 to 500, with 31 offices in 10 states, including Texas locations in Eastland, Fort Worth, La Porte,
San Antonio and Tyler.
The variety of services provided
makes for interesting work, says Todd
Johnson, emergency response manager
for the Western Region. Among the ser-
vices are emergency response, remediation, demolition, hazardous and nonhazardous waste transportation and industrial services.
A couple of rather large projects performed by Eagle include excavation of
300,000 cubic yards of MSW (municipal solid waste) at a local airport and the removal
of 40,000 cubic yards of TCE contaminated
soil on the south side of San Antonio.
“Both sites required site specific
health and safety plans, and both were
excavated, characterized and transported to permitted disposal sites.
Johnson took an active role in the
9-11 disaster clean up at the World Trade
Center, as well as anthrax cleanup at federal buildings in Florida. Other projects
involved dismantling refineries, power
plants and dealing with the aftermath of
airplane crashes and hurricanes.
Eagle-SWS is a full-service environmental company. –kf
Page 4
I
f you ask a guy in construction what his
top five dream projects would be,
chances are renovation of the Playboy
Mansion in Los Angeles, CA would be one
of them.
For Rick Watson, president of Surmac, Inc., his dream project came true.
Not only did Watson and his team do restoration work at the Playboy Mansion,
they also got a glimpse into a legend.
Watson said he cemented great relationships, including one with a very curious
feathered friend.
“It wasn’t what I expected,” Watson
said. “It was a very tightly controlled business. Everyone hopes to get a peak at the
girls lying around the pool. The girls were
there, but it’s not what you think. Not a
bunch of people running around naked
all the time. They had a couple of photo
shoots while we were there, but they were
out rollerblading and all the girls had their
dogs out there parading around – just
those types of photos. All their photos for
the magazine are taken down in Los Angeles at another facility.”
Watson said he met Hugh Hefner in
person, and yes, he does wear a bathrobe
every day. Watson made a number of
other discoveries while at the Playboy
Mansion, and it all started with a phone
call from John Snowden with Foxfire
Enterprises, a supplier in California, who
had an inquiry from Playboy about waterproofing the mansion.
Surmac, a specialty contractor of
building restoration, waterproofing, specialty coatings, masonry and concrete repair, is known nationally for its waterproofing systems.
“We did a survey of the building and
gave them a scenario of what needed to
Playboy or bust
Work begins at the Playboy Mansion.
be done,” Watson said. “We identified, I
think, 65 leaks in the building, with one
of the most predominant leaks being in
Mr. Hefner’s bedroom.
“We loaded up our vehicles and went
out there around the first of December.
They were trying to get ready for Christmas and some parties they were having,
so it was very tight schedule. There were
five of us.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we met a lot of really wonderful
people. They treated us like kings out
there. It was one of the nicest places we
have ever worked.”
One perk Watson did not expect was
the food prepared by chefs in the mansion’s 24-hour kitchen for Watson and his
team.
“The place has a staff of 32 people,
working there full time, and most of the
people that work there are third-generation
people that have worked for Mr. Hefner.”
Watson said aircraft flew over the
mansion each day, from helicopters to the
Goodyear Blimp. “It’s a constant barrage
all day long – sightseeing buses, all kinds
of stuff. We would leave the job at night
and go out the back gate. We would walk
through the gate and all the sightseeing
buses would be taking pictures of us.”
The 21,000-sf Playboy Mansion is located on 5.2 acres. “It looks like a giant
place, but it backs up to the Los Angeles
Country Club. Mr. Hefner bought the
house in 1971 and his girlfriend at the
time was Barbie Benton. One of the decks
we redid was the one she used to sunbathe on all the time. She had to finally
stop because there were so many airplanes flying over bothering her.”
Watson said most people do not
know that the Playboy Mansion has a zoo
license. “They have a very extensive collection of zoo primates and very exotic
and rare birds. “
One bird named Spot, took a liking
to Watson. “The girls hate them. They at-
tack the girls and bite them all the time.
But when I got there, Spot for some reason, took up with me and would not leave
my side. Every place I walked, he walked
with me. If the other birds came around
he put out his wings. He had about an
8ft. wingspan and it was a very, very scary
sight.
“Even when I would go outside the
gate to get something, he would figure
how to get the gate open. I would look
back and he was running behind me.
Hank Fawcett is in charge of all the facilities there, and said, ‘I have never seen
anything like this. He has never acted like
this with anybody.’ They told me when
they have the eggs, they are sending me
one down here to hatch. We will probably
have Spot Junior here this spring.
“Another interesting thing is the
grotto. It’s like a cave. They built it by piling up a bunch of sand and putting rocks
on top of the sand. Then they cemented
all the rocks together and vacuumed out
the sand. It has three or four hot tubs and
some other very private areas around the
back of it, and you would swim from the
pool to inside the grotto – and I will leave
it at that.”
Watson said some of the mansion’s
original décor from the ‘70s was still intact, including the rotary-dial telephones.
“Technology is not in the cards at that
place. They have an old heater in the
basement for heating water from 1932.
“On Friday nights they have movie
night there. A lot of his old friends would
come over and they would show movies
in the living room. They would set up a
bar on the back porch and have music
playing on loudspeakers that was like
Rudy Vallee from like old, old Hollywood.
It was so neat being in that setting and
hearing that music.“
Watson did not leave the Playboy
Mansion empty-handed. For a job well
done, he received a package from Playboy, which included some special books.
Watson also has an invitation to one of
the Playboy parties this year.
“Unless you know me it
sounds like a very tall tale,” Watson said. “But we work all over
the United States. We’ve worked
on the Titanic and we worked
on the Saturn Five Rocket. The
processes we developed for
stopping water intrusion are
getting to be well known.”
Watson said the problems
the Playboy Mansion had were
the result of earthquakes over
the years that created leaks. In
addition to the waterproofing,
Surmac installed five roofs and
worked on the swimming pool
and grotto, in conjunction with
Nick Bowman Construction and
Acme Flood from California. –kf
Rick Watson is not sure if Spot (the bird) was attracted by
a similar hair cut, or Watson’s love of animals.
Construction News ON LOCATION
Industrial strength
The staff at J C Industries in Selma, TX received their new company hats and
shirts just in time for a photo for Construction News. L-R: Diana De Santiago,
Steve Jackson, Michael Bauman, David Jackson and Mirta Jackson. –kf
Water resources
The folks at HD Supply Waterworks on Judson Road in San Antonio, TX, take a
moment away from busy schedules to chat with Construction News. HD Supply
Waterworks is a distributor of water, sewer, fire protection and storm drain
products for the construction industry. –kf
Metal man
Juan Guajardo works on a sheet metal project at the Mahone Roofing and
Sheet Metal workshop on Jones Maltsberger in San Antonio. –kf
San Antonio
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
San Antonio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathie Fox
[email protected]
210-308-5800
Construction News Ltd. Home Office
P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, Tx 78279
210-308-5800 Fax 210-308-5960
Publisher:
Buddy Doebbler
Production/Editorial:
Reesa Doebbler
Managing Editor:
Debra Nicholas
Sales Representatives:
Kent Gerstner
Angela Potrykus
Production Manager:
Sue Johnson
Administration:
Kevin Hughes
Houston Editor: Abby BeMent
DFW Editor:
Melissa Jones-Meyer
Austin Editor:
Kristen McLaughlin
If you are a construction-related
company in Bexar or one of the 7
surrounding counties and are not
receiving a free copy of the San Antonio
Construction News, please call for a
Requester Form, or visit our website.
© 2010 Construction News Ltd.
The San Antonio Construction News
(ISSN 1547-7630) is published monthly by
Construction News Ltd., dba San Antonio
Construction News, and distributed by mail to
construction-related companies of record in
Bexar and 7 surrounding counties.
All submissions should be mailed to our
editorial offices. We reserve the right to
edit any materials submitted. No fees for
materials, copy or photographs submitted
will be due unless agreed upon in advance in
writing. Submissions will be published at our
discretion on a space available basis.
Construction News Ltd. , dba San Antonio
Construction News, will not be liable for errors
in copy or in advertisements beyond the
actual cost of space occupied by the error.
Publisher reserves the right to reject any
advertisement at any time.
All Construction News
publications are audited
for circulation by
Page 5
Page 6
M.B. “Buddy” Pletz
Pletz Construction LLC
“I
have been very fortunate to be
part of a colorful family,” says M.B.
“Buddy Pletz, owner of Pletz Construction LLC. “Our family, the Pletz Family, landed in the U.S. from Germany, in
1765.”
A German businessman, at the time,
brought German craftsmen to Philadelphia to build buildings, Pletz explained.
His branch of the family migrated to Illinois. Around 1900, Manning B. Pletz,
Buddy’s grandfather, left Springfield, IL
for San Antonio. He died in San Antonio
in April 1933.
Buddy has continued the tradition of
German craftsmanship with Pletz Construction, and he enjoys retelling the
many stories about his remarkable family.
Tell me about your grandfather.
He was a promoter for the Ringling
Circus. He had quite a colorful career
here in San Antonio, as a promoter and a
small businessman.
We discovered a lot of things about
my granddad. In fact my brother, Bill, did
all the printing for the Gunter Hotel for
years. While in the basement with the
manager one day, he saw a box of old
photographs.
Thumbing through them, he found a
photograph of a Christmas scene in the
lobby of the Gunter Hotel dated Dec. 25,
1915. In the center of the photo he spotted our grandfather.
There were two elephants over on the
right side, and my dad’s oldest brother,
Clark, was on one of the elephants. In the
photograph, among the businessmen,
was young Atlee B. Ayers, who became a
legend in San Antonio architecture.
My brother borrowed the photograph. There was a program that went
with that event, but the hotel didn’t have
it. My dad’s youngest brother, who lived
in Devine, had it in his personal things.
My brother, Bill, had the photograph
and program framed and gave me a copy
of it. The original is on display in the
Gunter Hotel.
I understand your father, Lee Roy
Pletz, was a lot like your grandfather.
My dad had the same creativeness to
conceive and develop projects like Granddad.
In his development years, he was one
of the organizers of the Trinity Touchdown Club, back in the days when they
had a football team just starting.
The program was lack-luster and
needed enthusiasm. My dad came up with
the idea for a mascot – a tiger. He made
calls all over the world, trying to find a live
tiger. He finally found one in Thousand
Oaks, CA, at the World Jungle Compound
where they kept all the animals for the
movies. They had a royal Bengal tiger
from India, which, at the time, was the
largest tiger in captivity. It weighed 2,000
lbs. and was about 10 feet long.
Fred Starkey, the curator of the zoo at
the time, wanted the tiger to breed with
some smaller tigers they had.
My dad bought the tiger for $2,000,
and then the problem arose to get him to
San Antonio. He teamed up with Tom
Slick, who owned Slick Airways, a commercial freight carrier.
Tom, as most know, was the founder
of Southwest Research Institute. They
flew out to California and picked the tiger
up in a DC3 and flew back. Life Magazine sent reporters to San Antonio to capture the event at the airport. I had an
original picture of the tiger and an original copy of the 1953 Life Magazine article.
I recently had the original photo, the Life
article and my narrative of the event
mounted and framed and presented it to
Trinity University.
Was your father in construction?
Gosh, yes, he started building back in
1941. I think his first contract was at Fort
Sam Houston, building shipping crates.
He was a builder/land developer for
a number of years during and after World
War II. He was turned down for active
duty service due to a broken collarbone
that occurred in his youth that was never
corrected. When the WWII veterans came
home, he was ready, like Ray Ellison and
Quincy Lee. He was building houses and
made a lot of money in those years.
That launched him into developing
subdivisions and shopping centers.
I
was involved in most all activities. I was
on the jobsite working with subcontractors and engineers, or working on details
at city hall.
Tell me about your mom and your
brothers.
My mother was from Austin and she
was a descendent of Sul Ross, one of the
first governors of Texas. Bess was her
name – Bessie J. (Ross) Pletz. She hated
the name, Bessie, because she grew up
on a ranch in Travis County and they had
a cow named Bessie.
My younger brother was Bill Pletz, and
he went into the printing business after
graduating from Oklahoma A&M. He did
well and was very artistic. He later developed cancer and died in 1990 at age 50.
I lost my youngest brother, Daniel
Clay Pletz, in 1973. He was 10 years younger than me. He had a brain tumor and was
29 when he died. I am the only Pletz in our
family, except for my brother Bill’s son,
Cody Pletz, who lives in Houston.
Did you serve in the Armed Forces?
I was in the Marine Corps for four
years and came back and joined my father after I was released from active duty.
I was married and had a child when I got
out of the Corps in California.
I was promoted meritoriously to sergeant in 18 months and had an opportunity to go to OCS and flight school, which
I turned down to return to San Antonio.
I seriously thought about the oppor-
Buddy Pletz with the famous tiger picture
tunity because I always wanted to fly in
the Marine Corps. My dad was building
shopping centers and subdivisions and
he wanted me to come back and join
him. So I did!
He built Colonial Hills, Dreamland
Oaks, Las Palmas, Terrell Plaza and a
beautiful subdivision off of Fredericksburg Road called Mockingbird Hill. I became a very busy guy.
Why did you venture out on your
own?
I wanted to do more construction
work than he wanted to do, so I struck
out on my own and built some houses in
subdivisions and started more contract
work. I got out of building houses and
started contracting more commercial
work. I started out as M.B. Pletz Construction Company, Inc.
About 1972, I formed Pletz Building
Systems to build commercial metal buildings projects. My first project was Holt
Machinery Company in Austin.
What type of projects do you focus on
today?
We had a good run with automobile
dealerships for about eight and a half
years. We have a very nice relationship
with Larry Benson and his group at Ingram Park Auto Center. We have built
about $15-$18 million of projects for him.
We have recently completed an agriculture project for Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD. We have also built warehouses, shopping centers, historical projects and numerous aircraft hangars.
What is one of Pletz’s most notable
projects?
I was involved in purchasing and developing the Calcasieu Building on the
corner of Travis and Broadway. It was a
historical renovation and conversion
from an old office building to affordable
housing. I discovered that it was designed
by Atlee B. Ayers many years ago.
What has helped Pletz Construction
be a success?
We concentrate on keeping our overhead low to be competitive on any project we go after.
Having been in business for over 40
years and having a family name identified with construction and development,
has been a plus. With San Antonio growing as it is, clients feel comfortable doing
business with a hometown firm.
We are setting our sights on understanding better how to do business with
the government funded projects. Almost
everything now is being funded with
stimulus and recovery funds.
What are you working on now?
La Salle County Nursing Home in
Cotulla. It’s 36,000sf with 60 beds. We are
excited about it because we had to bid it
two times. Notice to Start was Jan. 22,
2010.
Back to family. Tell me about your wife
and children.
My wife, Sarah, is from Murfreesboro,
TN. I met her while she and I were taking
a course at SAC one summer. She was
here with her father who was in the Air
Force on special assignment. When he
finished his assignment they went back
to Nashville. Sarah went to work for a
bank there.
We corresponded for about two and
a half years and during that time she applied and was accepted at Trans World
Airlines as an airline attendant.
After completing training in Kansas
City, she was assigned to LAX and lived in
Hollywood, CA. We married Aug. 9, 1957
and lived in Laguna Beach until we returned to San Antonio. We had a nice life
in Laguna Beach. Sarah wanted to stay in
California, but I told her my roots were in
San Antonio.
Our oldest daughter, Janet, was born
in 1978 in Costa Mesa, CA. Our little Janet, now 50, works for the State of Texas
as a certified dietician.
I have a son, Manning Bruce Pletz, Jr.,
who has been in the construction business for over 20 years. He now has his
own company but was with Flintco Construction, Memphis office, for a number
of years. Manning went to Vanderbilt
University and graduated with a degree
in geology. He is now working on a 150
bed hospital in Tortola, British Virgin Islands as senior project manager.
My youngest daughter, Amy, is a registered nurse in Austin. She is not married.
How many grandkids do you have?
I have five. My oldest daughter has a
son and he is 21. My son Manning has
four, three boys and one girl. –kf
F
Page 7
Building excellence
or 15 years the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) San Antonio Chapter
has honored members of the construction industry at the Excellence in Construction Awards Banquet.
The 2010 salute at the St.
George Maronite Center Feb.
25 brought close to 350 people to applaud individuals
and project teams in nine categories.
Cyndi Mergele, Padgett,
Stratemann & Co. LLP, served
as master of ceremonies. The
event included a social hour,
dinner and music by the
Three Stepz.
Cosmo Guido, Guido
Brothers Construction, drew
a standing ovation as he received the Pioneer Award for
his contribution to the construction industry over the
General Contractor of the Year
years. –kf
The Koehler Company
Pioneer Award
Cosmo Guido
Guido Brothers Construction Company
President’s Award
Don Harrell, Harrell Plumbing
Project of the Year Over $20 Million
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Medical Arts & Research Center
Bartlett Cocke General Contractors
Project Superintendent of the Year
Joe Tyler, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Project of the Year $10-$20 Million
Concordia Lutheran Church Sanctuary
Joeris General Contractors Ltd.
Project of the Year $5-$10 Million
Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs
The Keller-Martin Organization Inc.
Did
you
know?
Past editions can be
downloaded at
www.ConstructionNews.net
Project Manager of the Year
Barry Vyvlecka, Koontz McCombs Construction Ltd.
Project of the Year Under $5 Million
Texas Lutheran University – AT&T Science Facility
The Koehler Company
Page 8
Strength in numbers
Mix and match
Y
ou know it’s a good party
when your guests don’t
want to leave. Scott
Cardwell, manager of Ferguson Enterprises on North Park
Drive, said the company’s event
Mar. 11 was just that kind of a
party.
Cardwell said the mixer for
the Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA) was attended by 215 people.
“It was huge. GSABA told
us this was the biggest turnout
they have had since they can
remember. It was really nice,
L-R: Peggy McNeill, Ferguson Enterprises; Bill Pitman,
and everybody had a lot of fun.
Remax Associates; Sandy Pitman, Alamo Custom Homes;
We had lots of door prizes.
and Karen Montgomery, Whitaker Insurance Associates
“We brought in Chef Scotty from Viking, and he was doing cook- and Robert Polka, Ferguson’s chef, also
ing demonstrations,” Cardwell said.
conducted cooking demonstrations in
Brian Abode, representing Miele, the showroom. –dn/kf
A toast to Women in Construction Week
M
arch Madness is a term long associated with college basketball,
but it is an appropriate description for the San Antonio Chapter of National Women in Construction activities
during the week of Mar. 7-13.
The annual Women in Construction
(WIC) Week was a flurry of activity for NAWIC SA, especially with its new title as
largest chapter in the country, according
to Jennifer Swinney, chapter president.
“Tuesday, Mar. 9, we gathered on the
jobsite of Orion Military Construction
Services at Ft. Sam to tour the design and
construction of their buildings,” Swinney
said. “This was a wonderful educational
opportunity for our tradeswomen as well
as our office managers and company
owners. After the tour, lunch was provided courtesy of Orion Construction
Services, Inc.
“Thursday, Mar. 11, we met up after
work at Water to Wine to socialize and
kick back with our fellow members. This
was a wonderful opportunity to get to
know the ladies in the chapter and learn
a little more about them and what their
companies do within construction.”
The week’s activities concluded with
Game Night on Mar. 12. “Retro game
shows, such as ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ and
‘Match Game’ were changed to give them
a fun NAWIC twist,” Swinney said. “Tickets were awarded throughout the night
and 10 fabulous raffle prizes were given
away at the end of the evening.”
Proclamations presented to NAWIC
SA from the city, county and state recognized WIC Week. –kf
L-R: Linda Leroux, Ferguson Enterprises; Chef Scotty, Viking Appliances; Scott Cardwell and
Peggy McNeill, Ferguson Enterprises; and Mike Robare, Robare Custom Homes
Page 9
What is your
biggest pet peeve?
Messy jobsites.
Michael Wilkinson
WW Specialties Inc.
I don’t like lack of respect, whether it be
for tools or the jobsites.
David Nicholson, Tezel & Cotter
Barbara Newcomb
Trimble Batjer Insurance Associates
People who drive like they just gotta get
there. Slow down. Two minutes doesn’t
make a big difference.
Jake Starr, JCS Branding.
Slow drivers.
Stupidity.
David Newcomb, Trimble Batjer Insurance Associates
My biggest pet peeve is not being punctual, because my husband is always running behind, and I like to be punctual.
Karen Ridout
Effective Resources – Gulf States Ltd.
His (Don Harrell’s) driving.
Kat Jackson
Harrell Plumbing Company
Traffic is one of my biggest problems.
Don Harrell
Harrell Plumbing Company
Not being detailed and not being clean. I
am very meticulous. If you are going to
do something, do it with all that you
have.
Cecilia Castellano, Azteca Designs Inc.
Not following through on commitments.
I think we have all been there, done that.
Every once in a while we all kind of slip up,
but if you always make every effort to do
that, it’s good – giving your all to follow
through with what you said you are going
to do, personally and professionally.
Art Serna, Structure Tone Southwest
Driving slow in the left, fast lane.
Wayne Zwicke, Hill Electric
Hold‘em and pour’em
C
The Gardner Law Firm
ompetitors were hoping for the
Luck of the Irish at the annual
American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Pour-Off and Hold’em Mar. 17
at Aggie Park.
Guests sampled adult beverage concoctions and players competed in Texas
Hold’em late into the evening. –dn/kf
Winners in the drink mixing competition are:
Best Frozen Category: Effective Resources
Best Non Frozen Category: The Gardner
Law Firm
Best Bar Set-up: The Gardner Law Firm
Yummy margarita and Jello shots
L-R: Cheryl Trevino, Jennifer Latimer and
Kristy Valdivia, Ridout, Barrett & Co.
Untruthfullness.
Billy Hill, Hill Electric
Government forms, thank you very
much.
Leslye Hernandez, Cram Roofing
People that are always late.
Juan Hernandez, AT&T
Right now I have no pet peeves. I am just
happy to be here and have a job.
Lee Evans T&D Moravits
My biggest pet peeve is people talking
on the cell phone while they are driving.
Kevyn Ivy, Structure Tone Southwest
Learning how to play Hold’em from a master at the “Little” Hold’em table
Page 10
The “bondability” letter
There’s nothing petty about
petty cash
Jim Swindle, AFSB, Owner
Alamo Surety Bonds
San Antonio, TX
Barbara Brown, President
Micro-Accounting and Training Solutions
Houston, TX
I
n the accounting profession, the saying “the devil is in
the details” is an everyday fact of life. Nowhere is this
truer than in the management of the mundane, numerous, and never-ending flow of
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by every contractor on every jobsite. All contractors,
both large and small, have material and equipment needs where the use of cash or
personal credit cards becomes a spur of the moment necessity. These expenses,
though typically small expenditures, can over time add up to a significant outlay of
cash, often unaccounted for or accounted for incorrectly.
Some of the major categories of petty cash expenses are:
• Beverages and ice – especially
during hot weather
• Paper products and other consumables – paper towels, toilet
paper, hand cleaner, disinfectant
• Office supplies – computer and
writing paper, pens, pencils,
small calculators
• Personal protective equipmenthard hats, work gloves, breathing masks, protective eyewear,
earplugs
• Small hand tools – hammer s,
wrenches, screwdrivers, shovels
• Construction materials – sand,
cement, lumber, wire, chain
Employee related expenses include:
• Gasoline and other transportation expenses
• Meals
• Personal draws against wages
Some of these expenses, especially
draws against wages, are not so petty.
However, many contractors have found it
necessary and desirable to advance money to employees between regular pay
periods. This practice is especially prevalent where the contractor has not been
paid, but finds it necessary to meet weekly payrolls. Often, company owners and
principals are the biggest abusers of petty cash privileges. Other persons in the
company (such as the company bookkeeper) may not even be aware (until
much later, if at all) that the owner or
manager is incurring cash expenses. If
possible, the owner or manager should
be encouraged to use a credit or debit
card (preferably a credit or debit card on
a business bank account).
All construction companies should
have “firm but flexible” guidelines for the
use of petty cash, and the reporting of
petty cash expenses. Flexibility is necessary because construction is an inexact
process – who knew that the contractor
would need some plastic sheeting to
protect an open area from a sudden,
heavy and potentially damaging rainstorm? However, the company should
attempt to adhere to some consistent
guidelines. Company guidelines should
cover the following categories:
• Types of expenses – what will
the company authorize?
• Repayment schedules for reimbursements
• Who is authorized to spend
funds?
Maximum amount and frequency of cash purchases
The objective of an effective petty
cash policy is to purchase only necessary
items in adequate amounts and not
“stockpile” unused material or equipment on jobsites. The analysis of petty
cash expenses can be a useful management tool. The use and/or abuse of petty
cash can pinpoint problem areas for the
company such as poor purchasing and
warehousing policies, inadequate maintenance procedures, and inconsistent
employee polices. Use of petty cash
could also be an indicator of waste and
theft by employees.
Contractors should conduct weekly
reconciliation of petty cash expenses, and
insist that all receipts be sent to the main
office for inclusion in the normal company accounting process. Petty cash should
not be replenished until an adequate accounting has been completed. If possible,
a petty cash journal should be maintained
at every jobsite and office location. The
journal should contain the date, amount,
items purchased and employees making
purchases (the superintendent may not
always be making purchases).
The consequences of a lax petty cash
control and accounting system can be
substantial. In my experience, I have seen
the Internal Revenue Service disallow
business deductions, resulting in a higher
tax liability for the contractor. These
higher tax liabilities have resulted in liens
and other penalties for business owners.
Also, petty cash purchases are often
made without the buyer’s knowledge of
the tax status of the company. Often, the
company can be excused from paying
sales taxes on small purchases. However,
if the proper documentation is not available at the time of purchase, retailers will
not waive the sales tax. Paying unnecessary sales and other taxes can seriously
affect cash availability.
A petty cash fund is absolutely necessary for the busy contractor. If the
proper controls and analysis are used,
petty cash can be an effective company
function. Therefore, my final piece of advice is KEEP UP WITH THOSE RECEIPTS!
With over 20 years of business and tax
experience, Barbara Brown is president and
founder of The Tax Lady and Micro Accounting & Training Solutions full service accounting, tax, and management consulting
firms. She can be reached at Barbara.
[email protected] or 713-271-8717. –dn
•
O
ver the last 2 years, we have seen the demand for
new residential and private commercial construction become virtually non-existent. As contractors’
backlogs continue to shrink, they have looked elsewhere
for work – primarily in the public arena where, thankfully, South Texas is still blessed
with a lot of government work. But competition for these jobs is fierce at all levels.
Subcontracting work has become incredibly competitive. Since subs are now plentiful
and bids are all over the map, general contractors (GC) are requiring their subs to bond
in order to reduce their risk of subcontractor default.
It has become more difficult for subs
to get bond waivers from their GC’s. According to The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), the significant
rise in bond company revenues over the
last 3 years is largely attributed to GC’s
requiring their subs to bond at a rate
we’ve never seen before.
When the GC implements a sub
bonding policy, they typically require the
subcontractor to provide a letter of
“bondability”. This letter is intended to
tell the GC that the subcontractor has
been pre-qualified for bonding. This only
makes sense because savvy GC’s understand how tight the surety market has
become and how many smaller contractors are struggling to get bonds. But they
just want a letter, right? Sounds simple,
eh, but is it?
Being bonded is like being pregnant.
You either are bonded or are not bonded
for a particular job. Technically, there really isn’t any in-between, however, bondability letters do serve to help subcontractors stay in the running for that next
juicy project. In today’s economy, most
every subcontractor will go through this
process and be asked at some point to
provide a letter. But what does it take to
get a bondability letter? Typically, you
must go through the normal bonding
pre-qualification process and those details will depend on the nature and size of
work. Once a bonding line of credit is secured, your bonding agent or company
will write a letter confirming that you are
approved for bonding. Once upon a time,
this was fairly simple and easy. Agents
would issue a short letter of approval
chocked full of conditions and disclaimers and that was just fine.
But with the large pool of subs chasing fewer and fewer jobs, many GC’s are
requiring a much higher level of detail in
their bond letter requirements – often
asking for the letter to come from the
surety company instead of the agent.
They may not ask for the surety underwriter’s home phone number, but close
Did
you
know?
to it. This can be problematic for a small
or emerging contractor, especially if the
letter becomes so project specific and
detailed that it becomes, in essence, a bid
bond. In that case, you will need to give
your agent all the job details and a copy
of your subcontract. Another situation
that can cause your agent and underwriter some stress is when the GC wants a
bondability letter for a job that won’t
start for a long period of time (over 12
months, for example).
Being prepared for bondability letters is essential. Here are some basic tips
to keep those bondability letters flowing
from your agent and/or surety:
1) Keep your underwriting information – financial statements, work in progress schedules, bank reference letters –
up to date.
2) Give your agent ample time (at
least two days) to produce the letter.
Don’t wait until the last minute before
your deadline, especially if the letter
needs to be specific and your underwriting information is not current. If the letter
must come from the surety, give your
agent a little extra time. Treat it as you
would a new bond request.
3) Pay close attention to what information the GC is requiring in the letter
and provide your agent with a sample
letter if the GC has enclosed it.
4) Only request what is required, no
need to make it harder than it needs to
be.
The bondability letter should not be
looked upon as a barrier. Rather, it should
be seen as an opportunity, a gateway to
taking your company to that next level.
Qualified, bondable contractors who are
prepared should never have problems
with bondability letters.
Jim Swindle is the owner/principal
agent of Alamo Surety Bonds, and has been
in the bond business for 22 years as a surety
company underwriter and as an agent. He
is currently President of The Surety Association of South Texas, Inc. –dn
Construction News
reaches
your target market
Page 11
Should my business enroll
in E-Verify?
Richard A. Gump, Jr.
The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump, Jr.
Dallas, TX
F
ederal law requires completion of Form I-9 for newly
hired employees to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of the individual. In 1996, Congress
passed a law creating a system of electronic verification.
Formerly known as the Basic Pilot Program, E-Verify is a
free internet-based system run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that
provides an employer the ability to determine the employment eligibility of an individual to work in the U.S. using information reported on an employee’s Form I-9. Currently, more than 189,000 employers are enrolled in E-Verify with more than 1,000 new
enrollments each week.
While participation in E-Verify is generally voluntary, 15 states now require
certain employers to participate and
comply in some manner with a federal
work authorization verification program.
Additionally, certain federal contractors
and subcontractors are required to enroll
in E-Verify. It is important to note that EVerify may only be used to verify the employment eligibility of new hires. However, federal contractors have the option
of verifying their entire workforce.
When an employer enters data from
Form I-9 into the system for a new hire,
E-Verify checks the employee’s information against electronic records from the
Social Security Administration (SSA) and
DHS to confirm if the employee is authorized to work in the U.S. E-Verify will issue
a Tentative Non-Confirmation (TNC) if
the name and social security number do
not match records in the database of an
individual with employment authorization. The individual whose data prompted a TNC has eight days to contest the
finding with either the SSA or DHS.
E-Verify will frequently approve individuals using a “borrowed” or stolen social security number and personal data.
Unlike the past where fraudulent documents were utilized by unauthorized foreign nationals to skirt the system, foreign
nationals who lack employment authorization will present the valid document of
a friend or family member.
Recent reports from DHS have indicated that 97 percent of employees run
through the system are found to be eligible for employment. Meanwhile, a recent report from Westat, a research company that evaluated the system for DHS,
found that E-Verify incorrectly approved
unauthorized workers 54 percent of the
time. The high number of false confirmations can directly be attributed to the use
of borrowed documents and identities.
To counteract this problem, E-Verify
implemented a photo matching tool,
which provides the user with a government photo of the individual. Employers
only have access to photos contained in
the DHS database and therefore can only
use the tool when the employee presents
an Employment Authorization Document
(EAD) or Permanent Resident Card. Un-
der Form I-9 regulations, employers must
allow individuals to choose among permissible documents and may not request
specific documents. Employers should
thoroughly review each document presented to ensure that the document appears genuine on its face and relates to
the individual.
On July 21, 2009, Lynden Melmed,
former chief counsel for USCIS stated, “EVerify is not without its flaws, including
one fundamental problem: its inability to
detect identity theft. Unlawful workers
can beat E-Verify by using another individual’s valid identification.”
Despite the identity theft flaw in EVerify, DHS continues to push for expansion of the program. Congress allocated
$100 million for DHS to spend on E-Verify
in its 2010 budget. Although many E-Verify detractors claim that employers using
the system are forced to take on substantial administrative costs, utilization of the
system requires minimal time and effort.
The system’s inability to recognize and
flag identity theft and the possibility of
unintentional discrimination against noncitizens when using the photo tool has
made some employers wary of enrollment.
One thing remains clear: Electronic
verification is here to stay. Past and future legislation will include some form of
electronic verification, and the government’s investment in E-Verify makes it a
likely candidate for continuation. Each
employer must weigh the advantages
and disadvantages of enrollment based
on its own circumstances. If an employer
has federal contracts with employees
working on both federal and non-federal
projects, it is advisable to switch to E-Verify for all employees because of the complex rules affecting who must be e-verified on a federal contract.
The Law Offices of Richard A. Gump, Jr.
concentrates on immigration law, with a
special emphasis on employment immigration. Gump provides immigration solutions
for companies and individuals, e.g. temporary and permanent visas, strategic planning from recruitment to retention, worksite
enforcement compliance (audits, training,
etc.), and mergers and acquisitions structuring for foreign national transfers. –dn
On the job
Margie Bocanegra, assistant project superintendent for Davila Construction Inc.
on Bonham Street in San Antonio, heads out to the equipment rental office.
Davila Construction is a general contractor. –kf
Job hazard analysis
Joann Natarajan, compliance assistance specialist
OSHA
Austin, TX
A
job hazard analysis can be conducted on many jobs
in your workplace.
Where do I begin?
1. Involve your employees. It is
very important to involve your employees
in the hazard analysis process. They have
a unique understanding of the job, and
this knowledge is invaluable for finding
hazards. Involving employees will help
minimize oversights, ensure a quality
analysis, and get workers to “buy in” to
the solutions because they will share
ownership in their safety and health
program.
2. Review your accident history.
Review with your employees your
worksite’s history of accidents and
occupational illnesses that needed
treatment, losses that required repair
or replacement, and any “near misses”
—events in which an accident or loss did
not occur, but could have. These events
are indicators that the existing hazard
controls (if any) may not be adequate and
deserve more scrutiny.
3. Conduct a preliminary job
review. Discuss with your employees the
hazards they know exist in their current
work and surroundings. Brainstorm
with them for ideas to eliminate or
control those hazards. If any hazards
exist that pose an immediate danger
to an employee’s life or health, take
immediate action to protect the worker.
Any problems that can be corrected
easily should be corrected as soon as
possible. Do not wait to complete your
job hazard analysis. This will demonstrate
your commitment to safety and health
and enable you to focus on the hazards
and jobs that need more study because
of their complexity. For those hazards
determined to present unacceptable
risks, evaluate types of hazard controls.
4. List, rank, and set priorities for
hazardous jobs. List jobs with hazards
that present unacceptable risks, based on
those most likely to occur and with the
most severe consequences. These jobs
should be your first priority for analysis.
5. Outline the steps or tasks.
Nearly every job can be broken down
into job tasks or steps. When beginning a
job hazard analysis, watch the employee
perform the job and list each step as
the worker takes it. Be sure to record
enough information to describe each job
action without getting overly detailed.
Avoid making the breakdown of steps so
detailed that it becomes unnecessarily
long or so broad that it does not include
basic steps. You may find it valuable to
get input from other workers who have
performed the same job. Later, review the
job steps with the employee to make sure
you have not omitted something. Point
out that you are evaluating the job itself,
not the employee’s job performance.
Include the employee in all phases of
the analysis—from reviewing the job
steps and procedures to discussing
uncontrolled hazards and recommended
solutions. Sometimes, in conducting a
job hazard analysis, it may be helpful to
photograph or videotape the worker
performing the job. These visual records
can be handy references when doing a
more detailed analysis of the work.
[email protected]
512-374-0271 x232
Page 12
Food for thought
Solar exploration
Lunch line
M
aybe you’re in the mood to taste
something that can taste you
back. Or crave a sugar rush that
will make you hallucinate. Or you want to
consume enough grease to make you
start singing like John Travolta and Olivia
Newton John. Whatever it is that a construction worker wants to eat, it is likely
to be found on one of the catering trucks
that make the rounds to construction job
sites every day.
The food selection, which varies by
vendor, can offer anything from freshly
made Mexican food to prepackaged
treats like candy bars. And for some workers, the sampling can get a bit exotic. One
vendor offers tongue meat tacos.
Tacos are actually the top seller for
many vendors, due to their portability
and stick-to-your-ribs quality. But sometimes all of that hard work makes one’s
blood sugar a little low. Enter the prepackaged snacks.
Workers frequently indulge in a
breakfast burrito. They describe the delicious layers like one would talk about a
beautiful woman. These breakfasts are
made for hungry men. Many of the morning sandwiches are a cooked-to-orderheart-attack-waiting-to-happen, with a
thick layer of egg, bacon, and other meat
(tongue?) between toasted slices of
Ross Electric staff poses with the newly installed solar panels on top of the company’s
building on Blanco Road in San Antonio. – Photo by John Reesman
W
Margarita Parragon thinks it’s all
magically delicious.
bread. The sandwiches and other cooked
items are made on site in a small kitchen
in some trucks.
The cook on this particular truck,
Margarita Parragon, United Catering,
likes it all and seems to enjoy feeding the
hungry masses. But this site’s break is
over and it’s time to go to on to the next
site and the next waiting line of famished
workers. –mjm
hen Robert H. Ross founded Ross
Electric in 1955, solar power was
emerging as a viable replacement for
power created by oil.
The ‘60s brought cheap oil prices and
it was more expensive for homeowners
to consider solar power. So, solar power
stayed in the background.
Fast forward to 2010. Robert’s son,
Robert J. “ Bobby” Ross, heads up Ross
Electric and the company is jumping into
solar power. Oil prices are up.
“We really think it’s going to be a
whole new frontier for us at Ross Electric,”
said Bobby. “City Public Service is offering some real good rebates on solar and
that’s what really makes it feasible. We
started looking at this about a year ago.
We are on the CPS approved list of installers, and we feel like we are on the ground
floor of this.”
Like his father’s company in the early
days, family plays an important part in
Ross Electric today. Bobby’s son, Kyle,
and his daughter, Karrie, work at the
company, along with 14 other employees. Having family to rely on is a plus for
Bobby.
“I am 68 years old now, so I still come
in every day,” he said. “I try to get out every day around noontime and go play
golf or something.”
But he’s not giving up the ship. After
a quick golf game, Bobby is out checking
on jobsites and back in the offices when
the crews return.
With the move to solar energy, Ross
Electric is adding employees.
“Luckily, a few weeks ago we hired
the first person we have hired in over a
year,” he said. “We see things maybe
turning around a little bit. It looks like we
may have to hire a couple of more people
here before too long. Maybe we have
gotten through all the worst part and the
trend is up now.”
Ross Electric is an electrical contractor
focusing on commercial and upscale residential. –kf
Nothin’ but blue skies
L-R: Scott Bowen and Chris Wiatrek enjoy a little sunshine in the equipment
yard at Hertz Equipment Rental on North W.W. White Road in San Antonio.
Hertz Equipment is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2010. –kf
Page 13
The write stuff
R
ick Smith, Keller-Martin Construction partner, is embarking on a second career, a passion from his college days at UTSA.
“I always thought I would be a writer,” Smith said. “In high school I was the
assistant editor for the school newspaper.
In college I took courses aimed at a career
in journalism. Somewhere along the way
my focus changed and I shifted my major
to engineering.”
The construction industry always
stood in the way of his passion, but Smith
did not abandon his first love. He pursued free-lance writing under a pen name
and published a number of articles for
business publications.
Smith even
penned a novel as a ghostwriter.
Although his first priority is KellerMartin, much of his free time for the past
two years has been spent writing his first
non-fiction book under his own name.
“Sticks and Stones” is a tell-all journal
about the San Antonio construction industry, but the book goes beyond San
Antonio to the hierarchy of national trade
associations.
“I have traveled all over the country
as an association board member, and I
have also visited various states, working
with construction industry peer groups,”
Smith said. “There is a lot of stuff that
goes on behind the scenes, as you can
well imagine. When you are away on
these trips you tend to let your hair down.
Most all the time I was traveling with respected competitors.”
Each chapter of the book is a revealing
look at out-of-town trips Smith took with
members of the construction industry. “One of my favorite stories is about a
trip to New Orleans with Charlie Winget
from Zachry; Dallas Cloud with Moore
Erection; and Leslie Guajardo with
Padgett, Stratemann & Co., and their
spouses,” he said.
“Where it all started was at the Construct a Kid’s Christmas banquet the year
before Hurricane Katrina. We bid on an
auction item that was something like a
chartered flight to anywhere, but you
had to be back within 24 hours.
“We left here with about two gallons
of Crown on the plane (which we emptied) and the pilot didn’t drink very
much.”
In his book Smith reveals who did
what – someone mooned the crowd from
the hotel balcony on Bourbon Street, and
someone passed out in the piano bar and
had to be carried back to the hotel.
On another New Orleans excursion
Smith and a group attended a trade association convention.
“For years I was running around doing all the trips with Andy Koebel with
Kunz Construction, and Tony Pieprzyca
with Hart Lumber. We all went to Commander’s Palace for dinner and then ended up in a casino.”
Smith tells how Pieprzyca gambled
one of his wife’s show horses and lost.
“He spent the rest of the night trying to
win the horse back. Finally, about 4am,
he succeeded. I don’t think she ever
found out. But he still owes me money.”
Smith’s innocent, boyish charm allowed him to gather information from his
counterparts without being suspected.
“I did a lot of trips with Gary Sutherland, GD Interiors. Gary and I were up in
DC one time for the legislative conference. We were staying downtown in a
very nice hotel. There were about 20 or
30 people there from Texas and we had
all been to dinner and walking around
and ended up back at the hotel bar. We
stayed up all night talking and drinking.
Often in that environment people tend
to confess things to you. Gary’s confessions are in Chapter Six.”
Among the out-of-town trips were
Rick Smith hopes his book, “Sticks and Stones,” will soon be in the bookstores.
several to Miami, FL. “One year a group of
us from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) ended up downtown, and we
didn’t realize it was the last game of the
World Series, and the Florida Marlins were
playing. They won. All of Miami headed
downtown to celebrate. The entire area,
for about five miles, was closed off to
traffic.
“We stayed down there all night. It
was myself, Steven Schultz from ABC,
Jack Mulligan, formerly with SpawGlass,
and Russell Hamley from ABC Houston.”
Smith said the only way back to the
hotel was along the beach. It was a warm
night, and someone in the group decided
to do a little surfing.
“I took pictures,” he said. “I always
carried a recorder and a small digital camera to document whatever situation presented itself. I believe I will make more
money on this book than I ever did in
construction.” Gotcha! April Fools! –kf
Extra
Papers?
Visit our Website at:
Select “Rack Locations”
for a complete list of all
rack locations where newspapers
can be picked up.
We do not mail additional newspapers.
If you would like a
personal subscription
($35 per year, per city)
select “Subscribe.”
Page 14
Gator pride, Aggie spirit
Industry FOLKS
Mike Winnfield
ROMCO Equipment Company
M
usic is one of those things that
gets in your blood and just stays
there. Mike Winnfield, ROMCO Equipment Company in San Antonio, has
been performing in bands for 40
years.
“My band days are actually past
me,” Winnfield said. “I started playing
back when I was in seventh grade. I
just kind of sit in now.”
Today, Winnfield plays the drums
in a band with Zack Mullins, 17-yearold son of Robert Mullins, owner of
ROMCO.
“He is a very accomplished guitar
player,” Winnfield said. “So every now
and then we will do something at
Sam’s Burger Joint, and we have been
to a couple of VFWs where they have
open mike night.
“We are actively trying to seek
some gigs to do. We play a lot of old
rock and blues. In my career, I have
probably played just about every kind
of music.”
Music is not the only interest Winnfield has outside of his job as a heavy
equipment mechanic. In fact, one of
his interests led him to ROMCO.
“I am in the volunteer fire department in the town I live in, China Grove.
I am actually the fire chief there and
Robert Mullins is my captain.
“He gave me the opportunity
over here, which I am very fortunate
to have. I really enjoy it. I get to work
with my hands and it makes you think.
I work in the engine shop, and basically what we do is repair and rebuild
engines that come out of tractors and
bulldozers and things like that.”
Winnfield and his wife of 23 years,
Cathy, live on two acres with their three
dogs and three cats. The couple spends
time fishing, gardening and raising
chickens. Winnfield was born and
raised in San Antonio, but always lived
in the city until they moved to China
Grove.
“I would never move back. I am
heavily involved with the fire department I really enjoy helping people.
“We are really into the peach trees
– gotta have peach trees, because I
love peach cobbler, peach pie, and
now I have my family hooked on
peaches.”
Before graduating from Highlands
High School, Winnfield attended parochial school. His first career was coaching sports.
“I started my high school coaching
career at Saint Gerard High School. I
coached volleyball, basketball and
softball. From there I went to Incarnate
Word High School and coached strictly
softball over there.
“I was very blessed, very fortunate.
We won the state championship my
first year there. I was there for about
four years. We won district all four
years and went to the playoffs.” –kf
L-R: Mark Marlow and Mike Isbell
T
here’s nothing like a little friendly
football rivalry to add spice to company atmosphere.
At the MK Marlow office in San Antonio, the Florida Gator championship
poster adorning the wall of Mike Isbell’s
office shows his team loyalty. Isbell, vice
president and COO, moved to Texas from
Jacksonville, FL and is heading up the
new operations headquarters for the
company in San Antonio. But he didn’t
give up his team, even though company
President and CEO Mark Marlow is a devoted Texas Aggie fan.
MK Marlow, a commercial drywall
contractor, is based in Marlow’s hometown of Victoria, TX. Isbell showed Marlow the poster and suggested that it be
hung in the lobby in Victoria.
“I like it, but not that much,” Marlow
said. “In fact, put it on the backside of
your door and keep your door open at all
times.”
Friendly sports rivalries aside, team
spirit helped MK Marlow achieve another
kind of success.
“Even though the economy is not as
strong as anyone would want it to be, we
just had a record year for the MK Marlow
Company in 2009,” Isbell said. “We’ve
got a really good backlog for 2010, and
naturally we are looking into third and
fourth quarter 2010 and into 2011.
“One thing we wanted everybody to
realize is that Mark Marlow is still in Victoria and he is still vitally involved in the
company. He is not retiring, and I am basically running the company, so to speak.
It has released Mark to focus more on
business development and building relationships, which he is great at. He is Texan through and through.”
One new focus for the company is
the Austin market. “We have really undergone a huge change and the primary reason is we felt like we can better serve our
general contractor customers from here
than we could from Victoria,” Isbell said.
MK Marlow also serves the Valley and
South Texas. “We actually have crews
that live in Laredo, Del Rio and Brownsville, so if I do a job in Brownsville, or Laredo, I have a foreman and manpower that
live there,” Isbell said.
As a result of the expansion, MK Marlow has added employees in San Antonio,
now totaling more than 150.
The staff at MK Marlow is also expanding their cook-off prowess. They
recently competed for the first time in
the Associated Builders and Contractors
(ABC) chili cook-off but did not place.
“We’ve got a lot to learn. We are going to take this and learn for next year,”
Isbell said. “Our general superintendent
says he is the Barbecue King of Texas.
“I want us to have fun. I want everyone to look forward to coming to work,
because it is all about building relationships, big time.” –kf
Page 15
especially trout. In this day and age with
the modern conveniences of faster boats,
GPS and flapping gums, it’s hard to keep
hot spots a secret for long. Last week was
different for several reasons, one being
warmer water temperatures and the other less pressure in the area I was fishing.
We were able to catch and release several
nice specs in the 6-7 lb. range and a few
more were released that tip the boga between 4-5 lbs. It will be interesting to see
how long it will take for this area to become crowded.
Springtime
conditions arrive
by Capt. Steve Schultz
Sponsored by:
Trans Sport Boats, Yamaha Outboards,
Ronnie’s Marine, Minn Kota Trolling
Motors, Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, Pure Fishing, Pflueger Reels,
All-Star Rods, Mirr-O-Lure, Bass Assassin,
FINS Braided Line and Columbia
Sportswear.
Capt. Steve Schultz landed this 7 lb. trout on a bone skitterwalk last month.
Several trout of this caliber were caught and released on this outing.
F
ishing the Laguna Madre and Baffin
Bay systems was very sporadic to
say the least the first few months of
the 2010 fishing season. High winds, low
tides, rainy days and lingering effects of a
harsh winter were just a few of the obstacles we faced on any given day on the
water, not to mention crowds on the
weekends. Conditions have been changing so frequently and has sometimes
made me wonder if we are still in winter
or starting spring. This has, no doubt,
confused the fish also. As I write this column during spring break week, I see a
steady change in the weather and in the
fishing conditions. Thank God winter is
over.
Since the beginning of March, I’ve been
concentrating my efforts on locating trophy trout for my clients. I can honestly
say that most of those scouting trips have
eliminated more spots than I care to admit, but that’s fishing. I am a firm believer
that boating and fishing pressure can alter the feeding patterns of coastal fish,
Kelcie Kaiman, of San Antonio, caught this 27 7/8” redfish using live shrimp
on a recent fishing outing with her family and Steve Schultz Outdoors.
We had to hide her smile because it was bigger than the fish.
Did
you
know?
STEVE SCHULTZ OUTDOORS, LLC
BAFFIN BAY –– LAGUNA MADRE –– LAND CUT
SPECKLED TROUT –– REDFISH –– FLOUNDER
FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPS
(361) 949-7359
www.baffinbaycharters.com
[email protected]
U.S. Coast Guard &
Texas Parks and Wildlife Licensed
With spring conditions upon us and the
coldest of weather and water temperatures on the decline, we can look forward
to some great fishing along the shorelines of the Laguna Madre. Shrimp have
already started to show up at the local
marinas, from the northern bay systems.
By the time you reading this article, they
will be well on the way south of the JFK
Causeway along the King Ranch shoreline. Using these little guys under an
Alameda Rattling cork can produce some
constant action when drifting over grass
beds with scattered potholes. An alternative to using live shrimp this time of
the year is using soft plastic lures. Whether you’re drifting or wading the flats soft
plastics are a great choice for spring time
fishing. One lure that I’ve been using a
lot of this spring is the Southern Shad
made by Down South Lures. Mike Bosse
of Austin who happens to be a client and
friend has started this line of soft plastic
lures that are sure to be a hit on the Texas
coast. These 4.5” shad style lure are
unique because they have a lot more tail
action than most similar soft plastics.
They come in packages of eight and in
several different colors. I have had great
success using these lures with a 1/8 oz laser sharp jig head. Give um a try. You
won’t regret it!
Don’t forget to get your summer trips
booked. I have been booking lots of trips
lately with the weather getting better.
Spring is here and summer is knocking
on the door. Give Capt. Steve Schultz a
call at 361-949-7359 or 361-813-3716, or
e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@
gmail.com. Good luck and Good Fishing.
Over 157,000 readers
view Construction News
publications each month
Page 16
Ken Milam’s Fishing Line
Sponsored by Tropical Marine and Honda Marine
My name is Ken Milam and, for the past 26 years, I have been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on
Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity of getting to know
a good many folks in the construction trade.
I
n 1974, my mother-in-law, Maxine
Alexander, had the chance to get
reacquainted with Lanell Durham,
a dear friend that she hadn’t seen in 15
years. As they visited by phone, the years
they had been apart just seemed to melt
away and it was just like they had only
seen each other yesterday.
Naturally, it wasn’t long before
they planned to get together in person.
Now anyone with a place on the lake
knows that they should extend the first
invitation; it is what’s expected. Besides,
every one loves coming to the lake, so
you know your guests will show up!
Lanell (or Nell as she liked to be
called) had to work late on Friday and
couldn’t get here until Saturday. Nell’s
dad, though, was packed and ready to
head this way before she even hung up
the phone. Mr. Durham was also a dear
friend so that was just fine with Maxine.
Sure enough, by noon the next day Mr.
Durham and his best friend made the trip
up from San Antonio to the lake.
There was still plenty of good
daylight left, so Maxine decided to load
the two old fellows up in a boat and take
them sight-seeing on the upper end of
Lake Buchanan. Anyone familiar with the
country up there knows what a beautiful
trip it is. It is just something that all the
locals treat our guests to. She also wanted
to take some bait with her and bait up a
trotline she had set out the day before so
her guests could get in some fishing.
The excursion went just as planned,
until the trotline part. Maxine pulled the
boat up to the bluff at Deer Creek and
reached out and grabbed the line to
steady the boat and get set to bait the
line. The line pulled out of her hand!
She eased back up to the outstretched
line with the paddle and they watched the
line move around by itself this time. Now
this is about the time everyone realized
that there was not only a fish on the line
already, but it must be a BIG one! This is
also when the two old gentlemen on the
boat reverted in age to a couple of eager
and excited little boys, full of wonder. You
Maxine and her catfish
A nice sunrise with the rising water here on Lake Buchanan.
It is looking better and better around here water wise.
Half or Full Day Fishing Trips
All Bait, Tackle & Equipment
Furnished
Your catch Filleted and
Bagged for You
Furnish your TPWD Fishing
License & Refreshments,
and WE DO THE REST!
Ken Milam Guide Service
(325) 379-2051
www.striperfever.com
have to understand, these fellows were
what us river rats patiently refer to as “flat
landers”. It is just another way of saying
that they didn’t know much about lakes
and boats and such.
Maxine finally got the boat steady
and trotline gently in her leading hand
and firmly in the trailing hand and began
to sneak up on the FISH. About four
hooks away the water exploded beside
the boat and all they saw was the flash
of a big old yellowcat’s tail. She quickly
retreated back down the line to give the
fish some slack while the two old men
tried to believe what they had just seen.
After a little while, the fish quieted
down and she began the sneaking
process again; slowly, gently, reading the
fish’s response through her hands. The
closer they got to the fish, the closer the
fellows got to the side of the boat nearest
the fish. After Maxine noticed that the
lake was only a couple of inches from
coming right on in the boat with them,
she had to gently explain to them that in
this situation, their only place was to sit
on the high side of the boat and help give
her some leverage to play this fish!
Well, this whole process was repeated
several times. Sneak, splash, retreat,
lecture. If you have ever had the chance
to play a big catfish on a trotline for any
length of time, you get the picture. The
trick is to tire out the fish before he gets
mad enough to straighten the hook and
just swim off. Skill and experience are
important, but luck is a big part of it too.
Finally, each approach met with less
and less resistance and she got up close
enough to finally see the yellowcat’s
massive head as he tiredly rolled over
onto his back with exhaustion. With
one last stern “keep on your side of the
boat” and glance at the two owl-eyed
old fellows, Maxine leaned out over the
side of the boat and wrapped both of
her arms around the big fish and threw
herself backward into the boat with the
fish on top of her.
At last the boat righted itself, and
she crawled out from under the fish and
everyone breathed a sigh of relief, just as
the big hook FELL out of the fish’s mouth.
They were just that close to losing the
biggest fish they would ever catch, but
they did get him in. When they got back
to the dock, the yellowcat weighed in at
74 pounds!
For years and years the head of that
big old yellowcat was on permanent
display on the second shelf of Maxine’s
kitchen freezer. Catfish don’t make good
taxidermy candidates because of their
high fat content, so the freezer was the
best she could do. It was not unusual
for guests at her house to be treated to
a chance to hold this old fish’s head in
its plastic bag. I can still see her waving
good-bye to departing friends with that
fish head propped on her hip, in her other
arm.
You just never know what might
happen when you go fishing, but I guess
you just have to grab it with both arms
and hang on. It might be the making of
the memory of a lifetime!
Page 17
Turkey hunting heritage
T
urkey hunters and their families were out in force Mar. 4 for the 13th Annual Banquet for the Alamo Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) at the
Alzafar Shrine Temple in San Antonio, TX.
More than 300 people, including members of the construction industry, helped
raise more $78,000 for the conservation of wild turkeys and their habitats. An additional $1,900 was raised for Jakes Day in June, which is a youth outdoor educational
program.
The goal of the NTWF involves preserving hunting traditions, but it also focuses
on the importance of family values.
“Everything we try to do is for kids,” said Charlie Klein, NWTF Alamo Chapter president. “This is a family banquet. We have raffles for the kids and every kid will get
something. They will not go home empty handed. We have tried to have the good
family atmosphere with a lot of nice prizes and games, and hope everybody can have
a good time.”
The banquet included a buffet dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles and games.
Live auction items included coastal fishing trips, an Argentina dove hunt and a South
African safari hunt.
Early in the evening, the crowd paid tribute to veterans and wounded warriors
attending the event. –kf
Submitted to Construction News
Hog wild
L-R: Jack Kerr, owner of the 4J Ranch in Atascosa County, and Charlie Newson, Charlie
Newson Company, took this wild hog during a winter hunt. –kf
Veterans and wounded warriors line up in front of the stage for a tribute.
Alamo Crane
HJD Capital Electric
Page 18
Call of the wild
The perfect setting for a spring turkey hunt near Elmendorf
I
t’s a beautiful spring morning in Texas. Wildflowers
are blooming; it’s the perfect temperature, no bugs
to speak of yet; and the turkeys are dancing.
Jake Starr, JCS Branding president and former vice
president of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF),
Alamo Chapter, says the spring turkey-hunting season is
the ideal time to introduce women to hunting.
Deer season, which falls during winter, may be no
day at the spa for a woman. Along with the cold temperatures, much of the landscape is dead and gray.
There is a lot of tedious waiting involved in the sport,
and when the deer arrives, all you think about is Bambi.
“You take the temperature of South Texas in the
spring, tie it in with the blooming of the bluebonnets
and all the flowers and the greening of everything, it is
the most gorgeous time to be out there, Starr said. “It’s
the best time to introduce a lady into the field who may
or may not be interested in hunting, so they learn and
get excited about hunting.
“The actual hunt of the turkey is engaging, where
you hear them coming, and it’s not just your ‘sit and
wait’ type hunt. You bring ‘em in and you will see the
animals dance and do their ritual. They are beautiful
animals. And in the spring is when the colors on the
gobblers are strongest.”
Starr’s wife, Laura, hunts, as does his Aunt Sally. “My
gramma had promised me to go this year, but then she
passed away. I almost had her. One of these days I will
get my mom and my sister out there,” he said.
Betty Warren, NWTF member, finds turkey hunting
to be rewarding as well.
“One plus is it is generally much cheaper than buying a buck hunt in Texas! To get started, however, generally requires a guide/caller but then most beginning
hunting of any kind requires some guidance. “I enjoy walking and finding a natural setup spot to
create a ‘hidey hole’ rather than hunting from a blind. I
know I am really hunting. But the best part of all is the
thrill of seeing a turkey come strutting in and gobbling
towards your call and decoys, to within about 30 yards. “Your heart is pumping, you have to steady your
nerves so you don't shake, and if you're lucky, the bird
won't spook because you moved too much before you
pulled the trigger. “In addition, I get to wear some pretty cool femalestyled camo clothing from head to toe! Being outdoors,
one with nature, enjoying God's creation and creatures,
doesn't get much better than this.” –kf
Betty Warren, looking good, with her last turkey
God’s country
Scott Johnson, CWD Builders and Construction Services, just returned from a ski trip to
Lake Tahoe where the new foot of snow made for some great scenery photo ops. –sj
publishing the industry’s news
Texas
Style




San Antonio
Austin
Dallas/Fort Worth
Houston
Page 19
People for
the Ethical Treatment
of Clay Pigeons
Submitted by
Kurt Wilson
Round Top, TX
Every clay pigeon has a right to a long and happy life.
I
’m not the kind of guy who usually
goes on crusades. However, there is
something which must be stopped—
the senseless slaughter of hundreds of
thousands (if not millions) of clay pigeons
every year. To end this inhumane practice, I’ve decided to form People for the
Ethical Treatment of Clay Pigeons. True,
the acronym would be PETOCP. That’s unpronounceable. So, I’m working on it. I
thought about PETCOP but don’t want to
antagonize the police. It’s not a good idea
to get on their bad side.
Anyway, all this started with a visit
from my long-time friend Mike Howard,
owner of Taft Construction in Houston.
Mike’s an avid hunter and skeet shooter.
Spotting my new 20-gauge hanging in
the gun rack of my F150, he headed for
Wal-Mart to buy birdshot, clay pigeons,
and a device for launching them. We set
up a range just behind the ranch house. A
moment later he had the shotgun loaded
and barked, “Pull!” The 20-gauge thundered and little optical-orange shards
sprinkled to the ground. What had once
been a happy clay pigeon was, alas, no
more.
Mike’s a good shot. None of these
pitiful little birds flew for long. Their broken bodies littered the lawn and my
backyard soon had more orange scattered about it than a highway construction project. It made me feel just terrible.
Then it was my turn. “Pull,” I said with
little conviction. The shot passed behind
the pigeon which then safely landed on
the grass. I missed the next one and the
one after that, too. Mike thought I was
failing to follow through with my motion
as I squeezed the trigger. Like I’m some
kind of lousy shot! What he failed to understand was that I was missing on purpose. The aim was to spare the clay pigeons.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to hunting or gun ownership. After all, that 20-gauge didn’t just hop into
my gun rack. However, it has always
seemed to me the only honorable thing
to do after killing one of God’s creatures
is to eat it. With deer or quail that’s no
problem. Properly prepared, they are delicious. Just try it with a clay pigeon.
First, lacking natural juices they are
very dry. Second, that Day-Glo color isn’t
appetizing. Sitting down to a plate full of
what appears to be chopped up safety
cones requires an extra-large salad, lots
of bread, and not a few beers. Clay is hard
to digest, too.
So, let’s be honest. Blasting away at
our brightly-colored little friends isn’t
about obtaining food, nor does it get
anybody out in the wilderness for the
beneficial effects of communing with
Mother Nature. The appeal of skeet
shooting is simply the sadistic thrill of
maiming or killing defenseless creatures.
Frankly, I don’t get it. What sportsman
would take a busted up clay pigeon to a
taxidermist and say, “Can you glue this
back together and mount it on a plaque?
I want to hang it on the wall in my den.”?
Is the clay pigeon a pest? Think about it.
Has anybody ever had their car’s paint
marred by clay poop? No! Do they eat up
all the seed in bird feeders leaving nothing for the chickadees and cardinals? No!
That’s why I’ve decided to act. You
can act too. Join me in protecting these
harmless creatures before they become
extinct. Remember, it happened to the
passenger pigeon—it could happen to
the clay pigeon, too. Write and mail a
generous check to my new foundation.
Just make it out to “Cash” for now. I’m still
working on that acronym problem.
©Copyright 2010 – Kurt Wilson
Texas icon
L-R: Kevin Brittain, Bryan Young and Robert Drew, 3-D Welding & Industrial
Supply, Inc. in Floresville, serve the construction industry in Wilson County and
beyond. Founded in 1980, 3-D Welding is proud of its Texas heritage.
The company logo features an armadillo at work with a welding torch. –kf
Page 20
Name that Tone
Recipe for success
Alan Vasquez in his new office on Starcrest
L-R: Art Serna, Anthony Roberts, Derek Chandler, Kevyn Ivy, Greg Ellison, Adolfo Flores and
Armando Aguilar at the San Antonio Structure Tone Southwest office
I
n April 2010, Constructors & Associates will begin operating as Structure
Tone Southwest.
The development is not a recent
change or acquisition for either Constructors or Structure Tone, but rather, the
natural conclusion to a 23-year evolution,
according to Dan Busch, Constructors &
Associates president.
In 1987 Constructors became a member of the Structure Tone organization.
For more than two-thirds of its history,
Constructors has been part of the Structure Tone organization.
Dallas has been the Structure Tone
regional headquarters since its founding
in Texas in 1977. The Houston office
opened in 1989 and San Antonio in 2001.
“As we have grown, in part due to
our long affiliation with Structure Tone,
our customer profile has changed to include many national and international
organizations,” said Busch. “Consolidating our name and brand is the final step
in streamlining our client service.”
The name change will only affect the
company logo on signs and letterheads.
The executive management, project
managers, superintendents, estimators,
project accountants will all be in the same
roles providing the same service the day
after the name change.
“Here in San Antonio our success has
been based on customer service and providing a quality product,” said Mark
Jones, vice president, Constructors & Associates in San Antonio. “We are not trying to be the biggest general contractor
in the market, just the best at what we
do.”
Structure Tone Southwest provides
project management, construction management and general contracting services.
–kf
“T
hings have a funny way of working out,” says Alan Vasquez,
owner of Geotechnical Solutions. “I always thought that someday I
would own my own restaurant.”
Instead, Vasquez left the food service
and hospitality industry in the mid ‘80s
and learned geotechnical testing from
the ground up, with several large testing
and engineering firms.
When the recent economic slowdown caused his employer to downsize,
Vasquez and associate, Clancy Hall, P.E.,
founded Geotechnical Solutions in June
2009, focusing on testing for design, construction and forensics. The company
handles both commercial and residential
work.
Vasquez says he applies what he
learned in his former career about service
to geotechnical testing.
“As you know in food service there is
no ‘I’ll do it in five or 10 minutes.’ Customers want service now.”
The first two full-scale geotechnical
jobs yielded a lot of satisfaction for
Vasquez, as far as making a difference is
concerned. The jobs involved foundations for two high-end custom homes.
The core samples revealed that the original foundation designs were not adequate for the soils the houses were built
on. Adjustments had to be made in the
designs, which saved the homeowners a
lot of future headaches.
“I love what I do,” Vasquez said. He is
even learning to love trekking through
the countryside.
“I am a city boy, according to my
wife,” he said. “She is more accustomed
to the dangers of being out in the country.”
On one job he went to a country
property and was given strict instructions on closing the gates because of the
cattle.
“One of the male cows (I knew it was
the male because it had the horns),
turned around and looked at me, and I
thought, ‘Uh oh.’ I kept a constant vigil
watching the bull. I did not wear red nor
was I inclined to say, ‘Ole.’”
Geotechnical Solutions is a geotechnical testing firm. –kf
Bricks not stones
April 15 – 25
John Oberman in the brickyard on Nakoma
I
t has been said that good things come
in small packages. From the street the
offices of Brick Selections on Nakoma
barely catch your eye as you drive by.
But look again. John Oberman, Brick
Selections’ president, also owns D’Hanis
Brick & Tile Company in D’Hanis, TX.
“D’Hanis is a manufacturer of clay
products and Brick Selections is a distributor of clay products,” Oberman said.
“For the most part we carry clay brick as
opposed to a concrete brick.”
Oberman is often amused by the occasional phone call asking, “Do you sell
brick? How much does it cost?”
“Well, we represent maybe 30 manufacturers and they all probably have 20 or
30 colors or textures or slurries they put
on the brick, and they might even make
those 30 colors in two to five sizes.”
The companies may not have an
overwhelming project presence in Texas,
but they have supplied products for major jobs all over North America, including
the Parliament Building in Ontario, Cana-
da, West Point in West Point, NY and
Thomas Jefferson Hall at Columbia University in Columbia, MO.
Things are changing. Brick Selections has now completed major projects
in Texas, including the new city of Wiley
Civic Center, near Dallas.
“Texas A&M International in Laredo
has about one million square feet of
D’Hanis Roof tile,” Oberman said. “It is
one of our big projects.”
The company’s tile for building
blocks was used at Texas A&M Corpus
Christi Performing Arts Center. “We just
finished Heroes Stadium for Northeast
ISD.”
Brick Selections also has a rail yard
location on Wetmore, and a location in
the Rio Grande Valley. The D’Hanis
plant goes back to 1905. Oberman became the sole owner of both the plant
and Brick Selections in 1995 after buying
out his partner.
Brick Selections is a distributor of clay
products. –kf
Page 21
Poker faces
The chips stacked up in favor of Ruben Bustos, AC Technical, at the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Poker Tournament Feb. 27. The event was
held at The Club at Sonterra in conjunction with Alamo City Poker Club. –kf
continued from Page 1 — Following the sun
Sundt has built some unique and
challenging projects over the years, like
the facilities at Los Alamos, NM where the
first atomic bomb was developed.
“We built the London Bridge at Lake
Havasu, and brought that over from London.” Sundt also built the U.S. Embassy in
Moscow.
Carlson said the success of the company is due to a team-based delivery approach, which embraces design-build
and construction manager at risk methods.
“If we serve our clients and serve our
communities, we will be rewarded as
shareholders. We have a Sundt Founda-
tion where we give money to the communities. Employees donate and the
company matches it dollar for dollar.
Since we are a construction company, we
also donate a lot of our time and materials to build things for charities.
“Another thing we focus on as a company, we are very much about change for
the better for the industry. Our CEO,
Doug Pruitt, spent the last year as national chairman of AGC.”
Sundt also believes in celebrating its
successes with family picnics for employees, jobsite barbecues and community
events. –kf
continued from Page 1 — Bulls-eye in business
other brother, David, also has 15 years in
the industry.”
Paul’s son, Christopher, helps out
when not in school.
“We have a 22-year-old brother, Jonathan, and he works here,” Daniel said.
“My dad, Paul Sr., comes by too. He is
our cornerstone.”
Other key employees include Harold
Henderson, counterman, and Paloma
Perry, bookkeeper. “We have great people in all the positions, and that is what has
really helped (and our vendors and customers) to get where we are,” Paul said.
The Target family often holds Friday
barbecues at their offices and supply
house on Western Oak in Helotes, TX. Customers and vendors join in the events.
Being in the Western Oak location is
like a homecoming of sorts for the brothers. In 2000, after working in the masonry
supply business for 10 years, Paul and
partners started San Antonio Masonry
and Tool Supply in the same building on
Western Oak that Target now occupies.
San Antonio Masonry later relocated
to Farm Road 1560 North. In 2008 Paul
left San Antonio Masonry to start Target
Building Supply, and found the Western
Oak facility to be available.
“It seems like the pieces have fallen
into place,” Paul said.
Target Building Supply in Helotes, TX
sells anything to do with the masonry and
stucco for commercial and residential interiors and exteriors. –kf
continued from Page 1 —
Soaring to the finish
Valdez said other challenges included rerouting the existing drainage before
the pad could be built; losing 50 days of
work due to weather; and coordinating
unusual requirements for utilities.
But the biggest challenge was definitely the budget, according to Valdez.
“We like the challenge. The budget was
very, very tight. We had to get very creative in how we manage things on the
site. We are trying to give them as much
value as we can for the budget, and I
think we did a good job, overall.”
One area the team was able to save
money was in the fill for the site. “It was
an import site, it wasn’t a balanced cut-fill
site,” he said. “Fortunately for us, we discovered during construction there was
some good fill below our detention pond,
so we over-excavated to maximize use of
all the required good fill.”
The project’s design team included
Speegle & Kim-Davis Architecture, Beicker Engineering, Terracon & KFW Engineers. The construction team included
Jeff Poole, superintendent; Ivan Berrey,
general superintendent; and Daniel
Bump, project manager.
Primary subcontractors included
Brandt Engineering, Urban Concrete,
Speedway Erection, THCI, Site Control,
Young Bros. Fire Protection, Mesquite
Interiors, 1st Choice Heating & A/C,
Stonecare of Texas, FAK Painting, Choate, Al Franz Fence Co, Alamo Door Systems & KCM Cabinets.
Partners Desi Valdez and Shelley
Delgado founded RED HAWK Contracting in 2007, offering ground-up, build-tosuit projects, including warehouse and
yard facilities, retail and office buildings.
RED HAWK also does office, medical and
retail finish-out construction. –kf
Page 22
Note-worthy
W
hat’s the best way to bring the
construction industry outside
on a cold February evening? Offer up a little salsa, adult beverages and a
microphone.
More than 200 people attended the
Associated General Contractors (AGC)
annual Salsa Taste-Off and Karaoke Contest Feb. 25 at the AGC offices.
Nineteen teams competed for honors in the Salsa Taste-Off. Winners are:
1st: M.J. Boyle General Contractor, Inc.
2nd: Young Constructors Forum
3rd: Wortham Insurance & Risk Management
People’s Choice Award: Young Constructors Forum –kf
Photos by Mary Haskin
We don’t know who the mystery singer is,
but he is bound to be a star someday.
His audience waits.
United we serve
L-R: Ruben Florez, Ed Newman and Branden Newman, are serious about
filling orders at Horton Building Supply on Grubb Street in San Antonio.
Horton is a supplier of masonry and stone products. –kf
Scott Freund
1966-2010
C
elebration of Life services were
held Mar. 5 and a funeral mass was
held Mar. 6 for Scott Freund, co-owner of Comfort Air Engineering and
Primo Plumbing Company in San Antonio, TX.
Freund died in a boating accident
on Canyon Lake. and his body was recovered Feb. 28.
He was a 1984 graduate of Robert
E. Lee High School and a 1988 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Freund’s hobbies included golfing,
hunting, fishing and supporting the
Texas Longhorns. He was an active
member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Catholic Church.
The Scott A. Freund Memorial
Foundation has been established at
11403 Jones Maltsberger, San Antonio,
TX 78216, for donations. All funds will
be used to support safety education
relating to hunting, fishing, boating
and other outdoor recreational activities. The foundation will also provide
financial aid and equipment for search
and rescue efforts. –kf
Frank W. Wallace
1929-2010
F
rank W. Wallace, founder of Wallace Masonry Company, San Antonio, TX, passed away Feb. 28. He
was born Oct. 29, 1929 in Rockdale, TX
and his family later moved to a small
farm where the San Antonio International Airport is now located.
Wallace started out in the masonry industry in 1949. He served in the
U.S. Army during the Korean War, and
returned to San Antonio and married
Rosemary Krizek in 1952. They were
married for 58 years.
He founded Wallace Masonry
Company in 1966. Wallace Masonry’s
many projects included the San Antonio Airport Terminal 2, the glass façade at the entrance to Sea World and
many of the Bill Miller Barbecue Restaurants.
Wallace was also a founding
member of the San Antonio Masonry
Contractors Association (SAMCA). He
was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Graveside services were held Mar.
4 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. –kf
Page 23
Women in Construction
Taking control of the future
Monica Harris, President
Accu-Aire Mechanical LLC
San Antonio, TX
W
hat is your background in the Heating and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) industry?
I was initially hired for a management position with an HVAC company in Alabama
where I worked for several years gaining LOTS of experience. After moving to San
Antonio, I felt like I could start up my very own company and take control of my future.
Why did you choose a career in the
HVAC - related industry?
After working various management
positions, I felt there was a demand for
quality services that wasn’t being provided to clients by others, so I saw an opportunity where I was certain I could provide a better experience and service to
clients. I felt like we could fill voids that
other companies were leaving behind.
There is always a need in this industry.
The weather is always hot or cold.
Do you have (or have you had) a mentor?
Yes, Frank Marano, a retired USAF officer. He was my manager with my previous employer where he taught me much
of what I know today. We worked very
closely for about 10 years, where he pro-
vided me with many examples and experiences that I would face. I really look up
to him, and if I get in a predicament that
I’m not sure how to overcome, I just call
him and he continues to guide me.
What are the benefits of women pursuing an HVAC career?
There are many great opportunities
for growth regardless of where you start
off. Whether if it’s answering the phone
to being the owner, there are great benefits, and overall a woman can bring a different perspective to the table that men
sometimes overlook.
What do you enjoy most about your
career?
It’s very rewarding knowing that we
are here to provide a solution to clients in
need. I enjoy helping people and also
enjoy the way our industry is continually
changing.
What specific challenges have you
faced in your career?
The normal everyday challenges of
running a small business, and the obvious – being a woman in a male- dominated industry.
How did you overcome those challenges?
Getting out and meeting clients and
people in the community and letting
people know what we do and how we
can help.
In your experience, are more opportunities opening up for women in HVAC
industry?
Yes, you are seeing more women
starting up new companies and managing them. There are even more woman
service technicians in the field. It’s great.
Is this due to the overall shortage of
HVAC professionals and workers?
Not because there is a shortage in
the industry, but because of the hard
work it takes to find many opportunities
that are out there.
What advice can you offer women who
want to pursue an HVAC career?
Get involved, ask LOTS of questions
and do your homework. Find an area that
fits the best and go for it.
Which is more important for an HVAC
career – education or experience?
Nothing beats education, but with
experience you can see the pitfalls and
better understand them. I believe you
can’t have one without the other.
From a woman’s perspective, has the
HVAC industry changed over the
years?
Yes, the industry has changed, technologically speaking. Systems are more
efficient and better for the environment.
Of course it’s still a very much male-dominated industry. Steady, good business
practices still apply.
What are your goals for the future in
the HVAC industry?
Looking to employ more people and
continue to contribute to society.
Accu-Aire Mechanical specializes in
commercial, institutional, industrial and
government projects, focusing on installation and maintenance. –kf
A woman’s perspective
Jennifer Morton, Account Manager
Brandt Engineering
Austin, TX
W
hat is your background in the construction industry?
I don’t have a construction degree. I actually have a communication degree, but I ended up working for a developer, Simon Properties. From there, I
went to a mechanical contractor and one of our field representatives recommended
working for BRANDT.
Why did you choose a career in construction? It sounds like it is something you kind of fell into.
I did fall into it, but if I had known
more about it, I would have chosen it for
sure. One of the aspects I love about the
industry the most is watching a project
develop from its inception to being a
functional building. That is exciting to
me. Every time, it is different and it’s just
super cool.
Do you have a mentor in the field who
has guided you?
Yes. When I first started in the industry, I worked on a project with a woman
project manager. She took me under her
wing and gave me a bit of advice and really helped my career go in the direction
that it has been going. She now works
for a company in Seattle, but we keep in
touch on a weekly basis.
How do you think a woman can benefit from being in the construction industry?
The possibilities are endless for
women in the construction industry. It is
just important to know what you want to
pursue, study it and do a good job.
What do you enjoy most about working in construction, aside from watching the project develop?
I also enjoy the people. I love the
people in the construction industry. They
are so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Everybody wants to see everyone
else succeed. You need a whole team to
make a project happen. The camaraderie
and the teamwork are two of my favorite
things about the field.
What are some of the challenges that
you have faced?
I would say coming from outside of
the field has been challenging, because
there are some things that you just learn
while you are out working in the industry.
Also, sometimes overcoming the fact that
you are a woman in a predominately
male field is a challenge. People are very
accepting once you show them you know
what you are doing.
In your opinion, are there more opportunities opening up for women in construction?
Absolutely. I have only been in construction about eight years, and the
amount of women I see in the field now
versus when I first started is incredible. In
one of the last large projects I worked on,
the senior project manager was a woman. There are plenty of women business
owners now and there are just a ton of
opportunities for women.
In what areas have you seen the number of women in the industry increase
the most?
Believe it or not, there are a lot of
women in the trades with all of the new
technology coming out, especially solar. I
know ACC [Austin Community College] is
offering a lot of programs geared specifically for women. I have also seen more
project managers and engineers.
What advice could you offer women
who want to pursue a career in construction?
I would tell them to just jump in and
go for it. There are plenty of people who
will be willing to help and mentor. There
is a great program that the city has that
sets you up with someone who has been
in the industry a long time to show you
the way.
What do you think is more important,
education or experience?
That is a hard question! Both are very
important.
Have you seen a change working in
the industry over the years?
Absolutely. It is night and day. Women are much more accepted and treated
as equals. They used to be confined to
administrative roles.
Brandt Engineering is a large mechanical,
electrical and plumbing service provider in
Texas. Morton has worked for the company
for three years. She is a LEED AP and works
closely with the eco division. She recently
was promoted from project manager to account manager. –km
Page 24
Trade knowledge,
experience vital
Kimberly May, Owner
WnR Inc.
The Colony, TX
W
hy did you choose a career in the construction/
construction-related industry?
I would have to say that I didn’t necessarily choose the industry; I grew up in it.
Fifteen years ago, after being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years, I became a single
mom, and it was the only opportunity available.
Do you have (or have you had) a mentor?
I have had many mentors over the
years, from my father Laddie Garner who
probably taught me the most about the
roofing industry, to my mother Joan Garner, who taught me how to have the
courage to survive in a male-dominated
industry and yet still be a lady. It’s the
never-let-them-see-you-cry attitude balanced with the it’s-really-okay-to-cry attitude.
I have also had many mentors over
the years who have taught me valuable
lessons on business, computers, finance,
sales, marketing, etc. I firmly believe that
knowledge is power. My knowledge has
not necessarily come from a higher education, but from being smart enough to
be teachable. And I have had an amazing
number of willing teachers and mentors.
What do you enjoy most about your
career?
It has given me the opportunity to
be in control of my own destiny. I have
had the wonderful and rare opportunity
to work with two of my sons. Grant is my
COO, Andrew is my CFO and occasionally
my third son, Ben, helps me when he is
on break from medical school.
I also have a lot of other fine young
men working for me and it is a great thrill
is to be able to watch them become successful. I have really been blessed and
couldn’t ask for a better life.
What specific challenges have you
faced in your career?
Credibility. It also seemed like my
knowledge was always being tested. I
overcame these challenges by gaining
technical knowledge and experience.
In your experience, are more opportunities opening up for women in construction?
There are a tremendous amount of
opportunities for women in construction,
especially when they are in the ownership position of the company. Because of
the Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (MWBE) certifications and organizations, working with a MWBE company is not only a recommendation but in
many companies a certain percentage is
a requirement.
What advice can you offer women who
want to pursue a construction career?
It is a very tough industry unless you
know what you are doing. I would suggest becoming a special trades contractor with one single trade rather than a
general contractor, unless you have a lot
of experience. It is better to know a lot
about one field than a little bit about a lot
of fields. This industry is unforgiving of
someone who does not know what they
are doing, male or female.
Which is more important for a construction career – education, or experience?
I think both are important. Do I wish I
had more education in construction science? I certainly do. However, I am street
smart and very knowledgeable in my in-
dustry, and I am smart enough to hire
people that are smarter than I am.
From a woman’s perspective, has the
construction industry changed over
the years?
Ten or 15 years ago, if someone in
the industry was told that a blonde lady
had been out to look at the roof, I would
have gotten a call. Now there are a few
more of us in the industry. I also had to
bring a man along to close the deal – for
credibility. I still get that call because
there are still not very many of us in the
industry but credibility is not a problem
anymore. Maybe some of that is because
I am older and I have earned the respect.
But I also think that, over the years, people as a whole have come to accept women in non-traditional fields.
What are your goals for the future in
the construction industry?
WnR Inc. is a young company that
has experienced tremendous growth. We
started in 2005 with $100; the gross sales
for 2009 were $2.5 million. I believe we
have the right formula, the right people
in place and I am excited about the future
of our company.
Woman-owned WnR Inc. offers commercial
roofing, painting, flooring and additional
specialty trades. -mjm
Paying attention to details
Have you seen improvements for
women in construction?
I have seen more women get into the
industry in the past 10 years. I know a
lady who recently opened a plumbing
company here in Galveston.
Marisa de Leon, Owner
Medusa Tile, Inc.
Galveston, TX
W
hat sparked your interest to get into the tile
business, Marisa?
I got into the tile business by accident. At first, I worked
as a piping designer at an engineering company. On the side, I started buying and
flipping houses.
After firing a couple of tile guys, I
thought I wanted to try and do the tile
work myself.
I bought a book at Home Depot and
taught myself how to install tile. I have always been detail-oriented so this business suits me well. Before I new it, I landed a 1,000-sf job.
What is the best part about what you
do today?
I think it is a combination of knowledge and experience. In addition, I can
add a little artistic flair to it.
What are the keys to success for women in construction?
I think paying attention to detail is a
big plus for women. It is important to do
what you say you are going to do when
you say you are going to do it. If something comes up, communicate with the
customer. Do the best you can.
What are challenges for women in the
industry?
Well, you’ll always have that good
ole boy mentality. I will walk on to a jobsite and sometimes I can tell when the
guys think I don’t know what I am talking
about until I start talking. You still have a
lot of that, “Oh, she’s a girl.” Even in this
day in time, there are some guys who
think they can do a better job than a
woman, but for the most part, guys are
open.
What advice would you give a young
woman who wants to pursue a career
in construction?
I would definitely encourage women
to get their feet wet and get some experience. Other than teaching myself how to
tile, I also had to learn how to run a business, do the marketing and the budget. If
a young woman can learn this in school,
then she can graduate and get experience for six months to a year to learn the
hands-on side of the business. This is a
really good formula.
Do you think there are more programs
at colleges for women who want to get
into the construction industry?
Yes. I think there are programs at colleges that offer construction building
and architectural design classes.
Women can go to a technical school
too if they want to become a plumber,
electrician or framer. A four-year degree
always helps, but there is nothing wrong
with getting an education at a technical
school.
How do you stay up-to-date in your industry?
I still read tile books. I am always trying to stay on top of new technology and
if we want to adapt to it. I read about
what new measuring tools are out there
as well as the latest color trends. I also try
to go to the big shows every other year to
see what is out there.
What is on the horizon?
You think back to women not voting
before our time, and in general, women’s
salaries are not equal to men’s salaries in
the workplace. I think as every year progresses, we are getting closer and closer
to equaling things out.
I think we, as women, are coming
into our own and are improving every
year.
Medusa Tile specializes in granite and
quartz countertops, natural stone tile, porcelain tile and mosaics in natural stone or
glass blends. Commercial projects the company works on include restaurants, hospitals and hotels. –ab
NEXT MONTH
MAY 2010
Concrete Industry
2010
Schedule
Jan: Construction Forecast
Feb: Construction Safety
Mar: Construction Education
Support Your Industry’s Feature Issue
Call for Ad Space
Reservations
Apr:Women in Construction
May:Concrete Industry
Jun: HVAC & Plumbing
•
•
•
•
San Antonio
Austin
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Houston
July:Electrical Industry
Aug:Service Providers
Sep: Green Building Trends
(210) 308-5800
Oct: Specialty Contractors
Nov:Engineers & Architects
Dec: Construction Equipment
Page 25
Should women consider a
career in construction?
Dede Hughes, IOM, Executive Vice President
National Association of Women in Construction
Fort Worth, TX
I
have always found that an interesting question, but
give the same answer every time, “Why not construction?” What other industries can boast double-digit industry growth projections, above average wages, and something to offer most anyone who wants in?
According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, more than 800 million additional construction laborer jobs will be needed by 2018. This signifies a 13 percent increase from 2008 to 2018. Architecture
and engineering are also projected to
grow 16 and 11 percent, respectively in
the same time period.
Pair the growth rate with wage levels
and construction becomes even more attractive. In most cases, a “living” wage
can be earned at any skill level. Construction laborer jobs traditionally pay between $10 and $15 per hour. Architects
and engineers can average $50,000 or
above annually.
Moreover, construction businesses
require project managers, human resource and logistics managers, estimators, accountants, sales professionals,
marketers, attorneys and sustainability
experts, in addition to the “construction”
personnel. Construction is a growing industry with good wages that has a need
for nearly every business skill set imaginable.
Construction is currently a maledominated field, but that should not dis-
courage women from joining. At one
time, most all fields were male-dominated. Some fields have just taken longer to
evolve than others. While construction
may always be a male majority, it does
not mean there is no room for women
who want to excel in this arena.
Below are a few pointers that may
help you along the way:
Be yourself
People respect genuineness and authenticity. Do not change the core of who you
are to “fit in.” Walk into each situation
confident, and assume your gender is not
a determining factor in how colleagues
interact with you. You determine your attitude. If not from the start, over time you
are likely to be seen for your contributions rather than your gender.
Get/Be a mentor
Mentors are an invaluable resource. They
bring real world, sage experience to any
career plan and are vital to your success
no matter what stage of your career.
Think of mentors as your true north on a
compass. These individuals have traveled
the road before you, can and are willing
to invest in helping you navigate it. You
may find mentors at your office, in trade
and professional associations, or through
educational pursuits. If you do not already have one or more mentors, seek
one out. For those who have already enjoyed the benefit of a mentor, or simply
see the need, become one. Build strong
mentoring relationships either as a mentor, mentee or both.
Network
The adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s
who you know,” applies here partially.
What you know is important. However, it
is the cost of entry for consideration.
Who you know will make being considered significantly easier. Get out in the
construction community and meet people. Go to various association meetings.
Participate in construction blog discussions when you have something valuable
to add. A positive impression now could
turn into a job, referral or new business
later.
Stay at the top of your game
Continually invest in your education.
That includes staying up on industry and
current events. In this electronic age, it is
easier than ever to bookmark and check
key Web sites for information. You can
even set up an aggregator or RSS feed to
have the information delivered via e-mail.
Also staying abreast of new techniques,
products and trends is essential. Do not
neglect personal skills like customer service and leadership. They are equally as
important as your industry-specific
knowledge.
Not sure construction is for you?
Like any career, you may not fully understand what you are getting yourself into
until you have tried it. Career fairs, summer camps and job shadowing can all
help your decision process
Career fairs occur often. A quick Internet search should identify fairs in your
area.
Also construction day camps are
available exclusively for girls. Two popular programs, Rosie’s Girls for 6th-8th grade
girls (www.rosiesgirls.org) and MAGIC
(Mentor a Girl in Construction) Camps for
high school girls (www.mentoringagirlinconstruction.com) provide a hands-on
look at the industry in an encouraging
environment.
Many professionals are willing to
spend time with students considering a
career in their field. The ACE Mentor Program (www.acementor.org) is designed
to do that for high school students exploring careers in architecture, construction or engineering. Also, if you contact a
local firm, it is likely employees will be
willing to give a realistic view of what
their job is all about and what it takes to
get there.
People find their passions in many
places. Why not construction if it is your
passion? The industry is growing, and
workers will be needed. Consider the vast
possibilities. It could make “all the difference” for the rest of your life.
For 14 years, Dede Hughes, IOM has
served as the Executive Vice President of the
National Association of Women in Construction based in Fort Worth, Texas. Visit
www.nawic.org for more resources or to
contact the Association. –dn
I’m forced to tell you
W
e are frequently asked how ees without it costing anything. Now I am
much it costs to get an article in embarrassed. Not only is it free, ConstrucConstruction News. As a busi- tion News editors actually come to your
ness-minded managing editor, I would location and take the photos themselves!
naturally wish to reply, “Lot$!” However, I know, I know, this is crazy. However, the
as my tenure with this prestigious publi- Publisher insists on it.
To get a Job Sight or On Location
cation would be short-lived, I must, alas, photo in the paper all you need do is call
respond – it’s free. Yes, I said it. It’s free.
As the apparently savvy consumer and invite us to your location or, better
you are, you naturally wonder how we yet, answer the phone when we call to
ask if you would like us to
produce such high quality
come to you.
articles for free. The answer
If, for some reason, in
is simple. Editorial coverthis down economy you
age is free because we dedon’t want a positive article
termine content. There is a
written or a fetching photo
charge for advertising betaken of your employees,
cause you determine that
you can have a one-liner in
content.
the paper by answering our
Now, you may ask, “If
On the Spot question. Each
the articles are free, then you
month we have a new, rivmust charge for the photos,
eting question about an
right?” Un-uh. Again, I have
important subject such as,
to tell the truth. There is no
“What was the name of
charge for publishing phoManaging editor is
tos in Construction News. Yes, embarrassed by what she is your first pet?” In this ediforced to tell you.
tion we ask the insightful
those cool photos appearing
question, “What is your bigin the Great Outdoors section of the paper (on color pages, no less) gest pet peeve?” In fact, you may have an
cost you nothing — except for the time article and be quoted in On the Spot the
and effort of taking the shot and emailing same month!
Okay, okay, you say, responding in
it to us with correct information.
Then the Job Sight and On Loca- the Focus section must cost. Well, now
tion photos must cost something? You you may be on to something. It’s true
must be asking how a company can get there is a requirement for being in the
publicity for their job sites and employ- Focus section, but there is no fee. The
company must be reputable and the person must be knowledgeable. That normally means experience. So, if your company has a person on staff who is knowledgeable about our monthly Focus topic,
we want to hear from you.
We have covered all but a few sections of the paper. Naturally, you will think
there is a charge for the Front Page article on a general contractor. I have to repeat myself. There is no charge. We only
require the project be completed four to
six months prior to publication.
We do have a new section appearing
in Construction News this month. It is Industry Heroes. This one is a little different. In this case, the person we highlight
must be one who has made a difference
in their community through action or
sacrifice.
This month we selected Robin De
Haven, Binswanger Glass Company, for
his heroic actions in rescuing employees
from the burning Echelon building in
Austin.
Now, we don’t all have to go into
burning buildings, but we all probably
know someone who has made a difference by starting a foundation for a needy
cause, by helping the community through
leadership, or by saving God’s creatures.
Let us know. Our editorial staff will talk it
over and decide if your nominee will be
spotlighted as an industry hero.
Have I answered the questions about
how much it costs to get an article in the
paper?
The one disclaimer I must make is
that we do publish stories on a “space
available” basis and we strive to provide
coverage for every construction related
company in our publication area. While
we try to cover all the good news in the
industry, sometimes we just run out of
space.
If you have a “good news” story to
tell about your employees or company,
let us know. Email one of our editors and
brief her. I guarantee she will be happy to
talk to you. You may email or call our editors at the following:
Kristen McLaughlin, Austin editor at
[email protected]
512-868-9710
Melissa Jones-Meyer, DFW editor at
[email protected]
972-517-4703 (in Dallas/Fort Worth) or
817-731-4823 (outside Dallas/ Fort Worth)
Abby BeMent, Houston editor at
[email protected]
713-599-1774
Kathie Fox, San Antonio editor at
[email protected]
210-308-5800
Remember, any publication can publish a “bad news” story, but it takes really,
really talented people to write good news
and get people to read it.
We are looking forward to hearing
from you. Have a prosperous day! –dn
Page 26
Round-Up
Skanska USA recently named Maritza Burgos as the
diversity manager
for Texas. During
her six-year tenure,
Burgos most recently served as
marketing manager
for the Tennessee
and Ohio operations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from DeVry University.
Jaster-Quintanilla (JQ) San Antonio announces:
Jacob Ness, PE has
been named as a
new associate in the
firm. Ness is a graduate of Texas A&M
University with a
master’s degree in
civil engineering.
His six years of structural engineering experience includes
three years with JQ.
Danny Rampt has
joined Pletz Construction LLC as
manager of operations and estimating. His father,
George
Rampt,
worked for Pletz
Construction as a
project engineer in the ‘70s. Rampt received his BBA degree in construction
management and finance from UTSA in
the late 70s and has worked in the construction industry ever since in estimating and management.
Jeff Leaf has been
named as a new associate in the firm.
Leaf has more than
27 years of civil engineering design
experience, including more than five
years with JQ.
Rene
Capistran
has been promoted
to president of the
South Texas Region
for SpawGlass. In
his new position he
will be responsible
for
the
overall
leadership of the
South Texas operations. Capistran began
his career with SpawGlass in 2000 as a
project manager and most recently served
as vice president, South Texas Region.
HOLT Agribusiness,
a division of HOLT
CAT,
recently
named
Paul
Westbrook general
sales manager. He
will be responsible
for managing all
aspects of HOLT’s
Agricultural Division sales, parts and
service operations across a territory that
includes South, Central, North and East
Texas and portions of Arkansas.Westbrook
has been with HOLT CAT for nine years,
most recently as regional service manager
in the Power Systems Division.
Cleary Zimmermann Engineers announces:
Charlie Johnson
has joined the firm
as a construction
a dminis tr ato r.
Johnson is responsible for assisting
engineers with the
processing
and
tracking of RFI’s,
shop
drawings,
change orders and payment requests in
accordance with contract specifications.
Bill Eichholtz has
joined the firm as a
project manager for
the Building Commissioning Department. He brings
over 20 years of experience in the construction industry.
He will be responsible for the planning and execution of all
aspects of commissioning, from the scoping and proposal stage through close out.
Rebecca
Mansfield,
marketing
manager for Jamail
and Smith Construction, has relocated to San Antonio after being
based in the Austin
office for the past
year. She joined Jamail and Smith in 2008
and has six years of experience working in
the Central and South Texas region construction market. She graduated from
University of Texas at San Antonio in 1999
with a BA in English and communications.
Round-Up
Submissions
This is a monthly section for brief
company announcements of new or
recently promoted personnel, free of
charge, as space allows.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Email (w/digital photo, if available)
by the 15th of any month, for the
next month’s issue
(published 1st of each month).
Email info to appropriate city issue,
with “Round-Up” in the subject line:
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
San Antonio
[email protected]
Austin
[email protected]
Dallas/Ft. Worth
[email protected]
Houston
[email protected]
Want Reprints?
Full Color, Press
Quality Digital
Reprints available
on any item in
Construction News.
$42 (includes tax)
Perfect for framing in the office, a promo
item, for the website or as a gift.
Digital Press Quality PDF is emailed to you.
Print as many as you like.
Can also be printed by any graphics
service provider, on any paper
selection, size, or finish.
To request a reprint . . .
• Email to: [email protected]
• Indicate you would like to purchase a
reprint, and a credit card form will be
emailed for you to complete and return.
If you have any questions, contact the SA
home office at (210) 308-5800
Some like it hot
T
he Wild West dominated exhibit themes at the annual Associated Builders and Contractors South
Texas Chapter Chili Cook-off and Sub/Supplier
Showcase Mar. 10 at the Live Oak Civic Center.
Crowds of guests sampled chili and all the fixin’s
and took part in auctions and raffles.
Cook-off winners
1st: Collateral Damage Chili, Frost Bank
2nd: Finish Line Chili, Metropolitan Contracting
3rd: Traugott Special Chili, South Texas Drywall
Best in Show: Ferguson Enterprises
Best Overall Subcontractor Presentation:
Marek Brothers Systems Inc.
Best Overall Supplier Presentation: Trico Lift
Page 27
Page 28
Association Calendar
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News
AGC
ABC
Associated Builders & Contractors
Associated General Contractors
Apr. 5: Spring Golf Classic, Fair Oaks
Ranch Golf & Country Club; registration
11am, tee time 1pm
Apr. 5 & 19: New employee orientation
for members’ new hires, ABC office, 8a11am; $45 per person; reservations call
Director of Education Bob Jett at 210-3421994.
Apr. 7-8: OSHA 10-Hour, ABC office
1-6:30pm; $200 ABC member, $250 nonmember
Apr. 13: Safety Smarts Luncheon, Pompeii Italian Grill, OSHA update; $15 ABC
member, $25 non member
Apr. 20: First Aid Certification, Engineering Safety Consultants’ office, 12758 Cimarron Path, Ste. 127 5:30pm; $20 per
ABC/BX member, $30 non-member; class
limit 12
Apr. 21: CPR Certification, Engineering
Safety Consultants’ office, 5:30pm; $20
ABC/BX member, $30 non-member; class
limit 12
Apr. 21, 28 & May 5: 15-hour Green Environment Course, ABC office, 1-6pm;
$300 ABC member, $500 non member
For more info or to register for all classes
and events, call the ABC office, 210-3421994 or visit the website at www.abcsouthtexas.org.
Unless otherwise noted, all events and
classes are held at the AGC offices.
Apr. 1: Safety Fair Committee meeting,
11:30am
Apr. 6: The Basics Program: Part 2,
6-8pm
Apr. 7: Get Acquainted with Sundt
Apr. 8-9: Project Manager Development
Program: Leadership, 7:30am-5pm
Apr. 9: Education Committee meeting,
8:30am
6-8pm
Apr. 20: YCF Steering Committee meeting, 4:30pm
6-8pm
Apr. 21: BIM 4 Field, 9am-noon
Apr. 22: YCF Professional Development:
Division 16 A/E/C Panel, 4:30pm
6-8pm
May 1: Race for the Cure, Alamodome
For more info contact the AGC office 210349-4921
ASA
American Subcontractors Association
Apr. 1: Contract Clause Lunch, Ridout,
Barrett & Co.; topic: Working without a
contract
Apr. 20: Dinner Meeting, location TBD;
Topic: Employee vs. Contract Labor- “Get
it right or face the fines!” April 30: Subfestival & BBQ Cook-off,
Raymond Russel Park
May 6: Lunch Seminar, Ridout, Barrett &
Co. office,11:30-1:30; Topic: I9 Claim s &
Audit Responses
HCA
Hispanic Contractors Association
Apr. 7: Board meeting, Doubletree on
410 and McCullough, noon
Apr. 13: ZVL Project Management Training starts, eight-week class, ZVL/UHS in
the Medical Center
IEC
Independent Electrical Contractors
Apr. 15: Career Day, Warren High School,
11am- 2:30 p.m.
Apr. 16: IEC of Texas meeting, IEC Austin
office, 9am-1pm
Apr. 20: A&T Committee meeting, IEC office, 11am.
Apr. 21: Board of Director’s meeting, IEC
office, 11am
May 2-7: IEC Legislative Fly-In, Washington, D.C.
MCA–SMACNA
Mechanical Contractors Association
Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Assn.
Apr. 7: Regular and Associate member
firms meeting, Oak Hills Country Club,
11:30am
Apr. 8: Annual Golf Tournament, Silverhorn Golf Club, 1pm shotgun start
Apr. 21: Joint Industry Fund Forum and
business meeting, Oak Hills Country Club,
11:30am
Apr. 28: Association Board of Directors
meeting, Oak Hills Country Club,
11:30am
NARI
Nat’l Assn. of the Remodeling Industry
Apr. 7-10: NARI National Spring Business
Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
Apr. 14: Board meeting, Grady’s, 11am1pm
Apr. 20: General Membership meeting,
Pappadeaux’s, 11:30-1pm
NARI SA meets monthly for general membership meetings, with mixers and
Roundtable discussions. For more info on
events visit http://www.narisanantonio.
com or call 210-348-6274
NAWIC
Nat’l Assn. of Women in Construction
Apr. 9-10: Region 7 Forum, Frisco, TX
Apr. 12: Annual Industry Appreciation
Night, Petroleum Club, 6pm networking,
6:30 dinner; guest speaker Past National
President Pat McDonald, California; $40
per person
Apr. 21: Board meeting, Keller Martin Organization offices, 6pm; all members
welcome
Apr. 30: Annual Golf Tournament, Canyon Springs Golf Course, 22405 Wilderness Oak, registration & lunch 11:30, 1pm
shotgun start, 6pm awards dinner; $125
per player
May 5: General meeting, Petroleum
Club, 5:45 Networking, 6pm dinner;
members $27, non-members $32
For more info, RSVPs or registration for
above events, contact Jennifer Swinney
210-695-8701 ext 101, jswinney@esc-
Barbecue heroes
P
itmasters fired up the grills Mar. 1213 to compete in the 10th Annual
Independent Electrical Contractors
(IEC) Barbecue Cook-off at Helotes Festival Grounds.
The event kicked off on Friday night
with the traditional private party hosted
by the cook-off teams that attracted
more than 250 attendees. The Gumbo
and Chili divisions of the cook-off took
place during the party.
In addition to Saturday’s competition, which drew a crowd of more than
450, IEC held its annual Wire-off competition with 12 participants. Mauro Gonzalez, James Francis Electric, Inc., the first
place winner, advances to the National
Wire-off competition in Phoenix, AZ in
October during the 53rd IEC National
Convention. Second place went to Jack
Spurlock, Southwest Electrical Contracting, Ltd. Placing third was Matt
Murphy, Quinney Electric Co.
The 2009-2010 IEC Apprenticeship
Scholarship winners were also announced
at the cook-off. The scholarship pays for
the recipients’ tuition and books for an
entire year. They are:
2nd Year recipient: David Wilke, Quinney
Electric Co.
3rd Year Recipient: Walt Witosky, JMEG, LP
4th Year Recipient: Mauro Gonzalez,
James Francis Electric, Inc.
First Place Bragging Rights
First Place Brisket
safety.com or Sandee Morgan 210-4025423 ext. 3379, [email protected]
PHCC
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors
Apr. 8: Membership meeting, 11am,
Thurmonz Seafood; topic: Social Media
and Celebrate Admin. Asst. Day With
PHCC
Call 210-523-1540 to RSVP or visit www.
phcc-sanantonio.org
SAABE
San Antonio Assn. of Building Engineers
Apr. 21: General meeting, Embassy Suites
Hotel, IH-10 and Loop 410,11:30am-1pm;
guests $25; RSVP to [email protected]
SAMCA
San Antonio Masonry Contractors Assn.
Apr. 15: 14th Annual Golf Classic, Republic Golf Club, 4226 S.E. Military Dr.; $100
per golfer includes green fees, lunch buffet, beverages and golf cart; registration
11:30am, noon lunch, 1pm shotgun start.
For more info or reservations call Debbie
830-606-5556 or Michael Hunt, Curtis
Hunt Restorations 210-827-1167.
SDA
Society for Design Administration
Apr. 8: Board/Networking meeting,
Fisher Heck Architects, 915 S. St. Mary’s,
noon-1pm; lunch provided. RSVP to Maricela Yanez, Fisher Heck Architects, 210299-1500
Apr. 22: Chapter meeting, Bright Shawl,
noon-1pm; Guest Speaker, Mark
Roomberg, Identity Theft; $16; RSVP to
Adela Popp, Sprinkle & Company 210227-7722
TGA
Texas Glass Association
Apr. 15-16: Glass TEXpo 2010, El Tropicano Holiday Inn Riverwalk; for more info
visit www.usglassmag.com/texpo/
TSPS
Texas Society of Professional Surveyors
Apr. 8: Chapter 11 Board Meeting, Jacobs
Engineering, noon-1pm
Apr. 23-24: TSPS Course development,
Colorado River Auth. Bastrop, TX
Apr. 29: Chapter 11 Annual Golf Tournament, Republic Golf Club, 1pm shotgun
start
May 6: Chapter 11 Board Meeting,
Jacobs Engineering, noon-1pm
Cook-off winners are:
Chili
1st: IES Commercial, Inc.
2nd: Southwest Electrical Contracting, Ltd.
3rd: Dealers Electrical Supply
Gumbo
1st: Mission City Electric Co.
2nd: San Antonio Precision Electric, Inc.
3rd: Quinney Electric Co.
Chicken
1st: Central Electric Ent. & Co.
2nd: Elliott Electric Supply
3rd: JMEG, LP
Pork Ribs
1st: Federated Insurance Co.
2nd: Eldridge Electric Co.
3rd: GEXPRO
Beans
1st: Dealers Electrical Supply
2nd: Quinney Electric Co.
3rd: IES Commercial, Inc.
Open Division
1st: Eldridge Electric Co.
2nd: Dealers Electrical Supply
3rd: Bell & McCoy
Beef
1st: Baish Electric Co., Inc.
2nd: San Antonio Precision Electric, Inc.
3rd: Dealers Electrical Supply
Bragging Rights (Over-all)
1st: Dealers Electrical Supply
2nd: Eldridge Electric Co.
3rd: (tie) IES Commercial, Inc. & San Antonio Precision Electric, Inc.
Showmanship: San Antonio Precision
Electric, Inc. –kf
Page 29
Star field
A
A.J. Kirkwood & Associates’ Team San Antonio
t A.J. Kirkwood & Associates, Inc.,
the field employees carry the most
importance.
“It’s the first company I have worked
at that the owner not only preaches it,
but he breathes it and he lives it,” said
Brian Taylor, director of pre-construction. He treats everyone with respect,
dignity and most of all, he cares.”
Arch Kirkwood has been an electrician all his life, Taylor said. “He started in
the field. His father owned an electrical
company. His grandfather, who basically
started the Kirkwood name, provided the
first power generation to California in the
1800s.”
A.J. Kirkwood’s corporate office is located in California, and the electrical engineering and construction firm has been
in San Antonio for seven years.
“Right now out in the field we have
131, and in the office we have 16,” Taylor
said. “We take pride in our employees.
They are what make us.”
Taylor said Mrs. Kirkwood designed
the office in San Antonio, which is built
around the employees. The facility is
complete with a cafeteria, with plenty of
plant material to provide a tranquil getaway from work.
“Everyone at Kirkwood has the potential to earn a bonus,” Taylor said. It is
not discriminatory. As tough a year as we
had, the guys in the field still bonused.
“At our safety meeting out in California, we presented bonuses companywide to the field. Arch is 73-years old and
he got up and did 40 pushups on top of
the table to show them, ‘The old man
ain’t going anywhere.’”
Families are also high on the priority
list at A.J. Kirkwood. A company picnic is
planned for the summer, complete with
dunking booths that will be manned by
project managers.
“We will do a dollar for three throws
and then donate the money to charity.
Already Arch has $100 worth and I have
$100, so these PMs are going to be drowning this summer, but it’s all for a good
cause.
A.J. Kirkwood & Associates is an electrical contractor. –kf
Toasting 25 years
Members of the construction industry, family and friends celebrated the 25th
anniversary of Malitz Construction Inc. Mar. 11 at the company’s office on
Crownhill Blvd. John Malitz founded the company Mar. 11, 1985. –kf
True colors
L-R: Mike Mendoza, Ernie Mungia and Alex Fernandez show their patriotic
side at the City Electric Supply (CES) on South W.W. White Road. –kf
Page 30
Bringing home the bacon
T
exas construction companies took
top honors with the most awards
and commendations of any state at
the Associated Builders and Contractors
(ABC) Excellence in Construction national
awards celebration in San Diego, CA recently.
The four Texas ABC Chapters received a total of 54 awards and commendations for top construction projects.
Also presented were the National Safety
Excellence Awards. –kf
Eagle Awards: South Texas Chapter
Commercial $10M-$25M Middleman
Construction Company LLC
Project: Plaza Las Campanas
Eagle Awards: TEXO Chapter
Exterior: Masonry, Precast, Stone
Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing
Project: TWU Weatherproofing
Mechanical Projects More than $10M
Dyna Ten Corporation
Project: One Art Plaza
Healthcare $25M-$100M
Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Project: Dell Pediatric Research Institute
Interiors: Acoustical, Drywall, Millwork
Lasco Acoustics & Drywall, Inc.
Project: Union Station Renovation
Eagle Awards: Greater Houston Chapter
Other Specialty Construction
Haley-Greer, Inc.
Project: BP Rodeo
Other Construction $2M-$100M
SpawGlass Construction Corporation
Texas A&M University McFerrin
Pyramid Awards: South Texas Chapter
Mechanical-Commercial Less than
$2M
A/C Technical Services, Ltd.
Project: Haven for Hope
Pyramid Awards: Central Texas Chapter
Institutional $5M-$10M
Austin Commercial
Project: TCU Jarvis Hall
Renovation $4M-10M
Flintco, Inc.
Project: Texas State University–Baseball/
Softball Complex Enhancements, Phase I
Healthcare $10M-$25M
SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.
Project: McKenna Village at Sundance
Continuing Healthcare Facility
Pyramid Awards: TEXO Chapter
Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing
Project: Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre
Exterior: All Other Exterior Finishes
KPost Company
Project: Westin Galleria Hotel
KPost Company
SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.
Project: Reunion Tower
Residential Multi-Family and Condominium
Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd.
Project: Montgomery Plaza Condominiums
Renovation Less Than $4M
Turner Construction
Project: WEMED
Pyramid Awards: Greater Houston Chapter
Mechanical-Commercial $2M-$10M
Polk Mechanical
Project: US Customs & Border Protection
SW Science Center
Industrial $5M-$15M
Ref-Chem, L.P.
Project: Bi-Phenol Expansion Project
National Safety Excellence Award Winners from Texas: Mundy Companies,
Houston, TX; W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, based in Biloxi, MS
San Antonio area companies receiving commendations are: SpawGlass Contractors Inc. (two projects); Troy Jessee
Construction; and W.G. Yates & Sons Construction.
Down to earth
Touch of Italy
Douglas Millsaps, P.E., head up the Selma, TX office of Talon LPE.
Talon is a full-service environmental consulting, engineering,
drilling, construction and response firm. –kf
Brenda and Tony Franckowiak, owners of Venetian Marble & Granite since
2005, supply countertops and other products to both the residential
and commercial construction industries. The showroom and fabrication shop
are located on Western Oak Drive in Helotes, TX. –kf
 Location

Location
 Location
 Location
Dallas/Fort. Worth
Austin
San Antonio
Houston
Publishing the Industry’s News . . .
TEXAS Style
Home Office
(210) 308-5800
Page 31
Job Sights
Jay Carnwath, C&S Enterprise, works on one of the replacement spires for Our Lady of the
Lake University as a subcontractor for Progressive Solutions on Broadway. A massive fire
in May 2008 damaged the University. Bartlett Cocke General Contractors is the general
contractor for the university’s rebuilding project. –kf
Roger Espinoza, LCE Electrical Contractors, Universal City, TX, comes down the ladder
for a photo at the new Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill at Pat Booker Road and Interstate 35 North.
Espinoza is installing the outside lighting on the building. Southfork Construction Inc. is the
general contractor for the project. –kf
L-R: Felix Elizondo and Hector Aguirre, Border Construction Services, clearing the
way at a Hill Country site in preparation for future construction. –rd
L-R: Larry Johnson and Wesley Neeley work on a parking lot on Highway 181 near Loop
1604 South near San Antonio for Blacktop Asphalt Paving. –kf
Power broker
T
Tim Adcock
im Adcock, owner of Adcock Electrical, spends a lot of time at Denny’s Restaurants, but not necessarily
ordering the Grand Slam Breakfast.
His company has installed the electrical systems in five Denny’s in San Antonio, two in Houston, and one each in Dallas, Austin and McAllen, TX.
“I got into the industry in 1989,” Adcock said. “I got my journeyman’s license
and then got my master’s in 2000. I started
Adcock Electrical about three years ago.”
Prior to opening his business, Adcock
was in the IBEW Local Union #60, working under a company that later went into
bankruptcy. The bankruptcy prompted
the decision to take control of his own
destiny by starting his own company.
“What we did is mainly commercial
work – a lot of retail finish outs, a lot of design/build, a lot of little restaurants, nail salons, shell spaces – anything commercial,”
Adcock said. “I do have a couple of residential contractors that I take care of. We do
some spec homes and custom homes.”
Outside the office Adcock enjoys
hunting and fishing. “I do a lot of bay
fishing, and out here at Braunig and Calaveras, I do a lot of down-rigging for the
redfish and the stripers. My oldest brother, Winston, has worked for CPS Energy
for 20-something years now. He knows
the lake like the back of his hand. He is
like my personal guide. He is pretty good
at getting us on the fish.”
Adcock said he sponsors a cook-off
team that includes his brother and two
others in San Antonio Stock Show and
Rodeo Cook-Off each year.
Adcock hunts deer, dove and wild
hogs on the family’s 450-acre property in
Atascosa County. He also goes to Junction, TX each year with his supply house,
Hill Country Electric Supply.
Adcock Electric, San Antonio, TX is a
commercial and residential electrical contractor. –kf
Page 32
How old is your son, and does he know
what you did?
He just turned four. He is now coming
into his own and has more of an understanding of what is going on around him.
His grandma tells him that his daddy
is a hero, but he doesn’t understand. I
think he will just think it is something cool,
but I will still just be his dad and I like that.
Glass worker saves six lives
T
he tragedy that hit Austin Feb. 18
when local resident Joe Stack crashed
his private plane into the Echelon
building was not as devastating as it could
have been, thanks to the help and bravery
of people like Robin De Haven.
An employee of Binswanger Glass
Company, De Haven jumped into action
once he realized trouble was on the horizon. On the way to a job in north Austin
on that somber Thursday, he pulled over
when he saw the suspicious airplane go
down creating a plume of black smoke.
His previous military experience, ladder,
fast reaction time and big heart helped
enable him to rescue six people from the
burning building.
De Haven shares his account of what
happened and the motivation behind his
heroic actions.
Tell us about that day.
What motivated me to go there was
just a feeling I had. I thought maybe I had
a little bit of experience to help. I didn’t
know if there was anything I could do.
I didn’t go over there thinking I was
going to run into a burning building. That
never crossed my mind. I didn’t even
know what I was going to come across. I
thought it was a plane crash, but I didn’t
know if it hit a parking lot, a building or a
street. When I came up on the building I
thought “Oh geez, he hit a building. There
are going to be a lot of people in there.”
The first thing I did was call 911 before I exited the highway. Of course they
had a lot of calls, but I did that because it
was my first thought.
What was next?
When I got off the phone, a gentleman came over and said that people
needed help. At that point, I stopped
thinking about what I wanted to do and
just did it. It was a weird step-by-step
process that I went through in my head.
Until I completed one task, I didn’t even
think about what was next.
When he said people needed help, I
just asked where. Six people were there. I
didn’t even know that for three days. I
thought there were five at the time, but
when I met two of the survivors three days
afterwards, they told me there were six.
Robin De Haven rescued six people from
the burning Echelon building in Austin.
How did you know where to go?
The spot the man took me to was the
focal point. Once I got everyone down
using the ladder, I was wondering if there
was anybody else. Someone told me that
everyone was out from that office and
that the hallway was filled with smoke. I
could not go any further.
Were you scared at all?
No. I wasn’t at all. That’s what kind of
scared me afterwards. I was like “What’s
wrong with me? Why did I not worry
about self preservation?”
I wasn’t scared at all until after it happened. Afterwards, it all hit me and I cried.
You spoke with two survivors since
this happened?
I just wanted to meet them and know
that they were doing okay. They were
kind of speechless too. They just wanted
to express their thanks. We all have our
own lives, but we shared a cool moment.
They are just trying to get back to a normal life. They just got new computers
and are going back to work somewhere
else. It was pretty neat to talk to them.
Has this changed your perspective?
I have thought about my faith a little
bit more. I always feel like someone’s
looking out for me. It seems like I have
been very lucky and blessed. I have had a
lot of random things happen to me, but
this one seals the deal. Every day is like a
puzzle. I still feel like a little kid in an adult
world, but I have a kid myself. I have just
learned not to worry so much and be
thankful for what I have. It pushes me
even more to help provide a good, stress
free life for my son.
Tell us about your background.
I am from Indiana. I moved to Austin
two years ago. I joined the Army in October 2001 and did my basic training. From
March 2002 to March 2005, I lived in Bamberg, Germany. During this period in 2003,
I did a 10-month tour in Iraq. From April
2005 to February 2008, I was stationed at
Ft. Hood. I completed a second tour in Iraq
from October 2006 to December 2007.
I became an Austin resident in December 2007 when I came back from Iraq.
I really like Austin. There is a wide range
of people and all different types of personalities.
What has changed for you since then?
There has been all this attention. I
feel like I became my own personal assistant. Sometimes I felt like I was going to
pull my hair out, but it was cool to see
what the other side of the fence is like. It is
kind of neat, and I have been able to experience a lot of cool things, but I can see
how it could drive someone crazy getting
that much attention all of the time.
What do your parents think?
My dad’s not much of a talker and he
still treats me the same. That’s my dad
and I love it. He’s cool. My mom was in
shock at first. I called her right after it
happened and I don’t think she understood until later when she saw all of the
publicity. They were a little surprised at
the scope of everything, because it was
such a huge ordeal and I was a part of it.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
Just the message for us to stop being
selfish. Nobody is expected to do this
stuff except the professionals and you
shouldn’t go out looking for it, but you
should just think about how you can help.
Nothing is predictable and I just want to
try to make the best of everything and
teach this to my son. I have good parents
and I hope I can be as good.
De Haven has received recognition
from the City of Austin, American Red Cross,
Texas Governor Rick Perry, congressmen,
and many others. He is known locally and
nationwide as a hero for his actions.
Binswanger Glass, founded in 1872, is a
large glass distributor in the U.S. –km

April - Construction News

Transcription

Similar documents

328 Acres in San Antonio, Texas

Membership Application - Greater San Antonio Builders Association

Jasmina Wellinghoff, SA Woman

¡VIVA SA RUN!

TCA 2015 Maintenance Program-ind pgs.pub

Resume - Rae D. Cabello

SITTERLE HOMES AT SETTLER`S RIDGE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Read more About SARA

SAN ANTONIO

February, 2014 - Austin – San Antonio Chapter of the Association of